[VFB] Back from Utah

[Michael Bliss]

Christmas was a bit crazy this year.  I had just returned from New Zealand and then had to head off again.  I wondered if I would have a job when I returned to the island.    I took my fishing gear with hopes of getting some time on the river(s) in Utah.  Larry Johnson was to join in on one day but he "is a fair weather fisherman".  Larry you should have come.  It was glorious weather that day.  We were stripping clothes.  The fishing was very good.  A spot I have on the river for the winter is still working.  The second time I was there (Larry I did not call because is was raining) I was doing very well and the phone rang (sometimes cell phones can be good),  My father-in-law had fallen.  I got out of the river and headed home. He was in a nursing home because of his alhiemers.  The fall was not supposed to be bad but by that night he had died.  It should have been sad but with his wife having preceeded him several years ago and knowing they would be together again, we all felt it was for the best.  We stayed for the funeral and I got home late Friday.  I did not get out the fishing stuff again.  In his funeral, we were told by several of his family how he lived life well.  He enjoyed it.  At 80 he was still water skiing.  At 81 he went with us to Brazil and was with us on the Amazon at night to catch alligators and caymen.  So I plan to live well whatever time the Good Lord gives me.  He was a good man, and good to men, a good example.  Thought I'd share that not as a sad but a happy note.  We can enjoy life and still be good to each other.   Mike