Wherein Jack invades Northern Georgia

The Battle of the Bulge was NAZI Germany's last big offensive on the western front and was notable for the deep snow in which it was fought.

Jack came to coffee yesterday.  More accurately, his close friend Rollin (pronounced Rah-lin) drove him to the restaurant and they ate breakfast.  Jack's son-in-law was also in attendance.

We had a full house.  Everybody but Fast Eddie was there.  Junior met Jack at the door and Jack addressed him by his "Driver's License" name, Darryl.  In turn, we all went one-by-one to pay our respects to Jack.

Jack is 94 and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.  He recently suffered a heart attack.  His daughter and son-in-law are taking him back to Georgia when they leave.

This was probably Jack's last trip to coffee.

Rollin is distressed, although stoic.  Rollin and Jack did almost everything together.  They went to church together.  They went to yard sales.  And, of course, they went to coffee together.  Sometimes they arrived early and they would remain in Rollin's truck to listen to the last bit of an inspirational radio show before coming in.

Rollin noted that Jack is less "sharp" than he was even a month ago.  The heart attack affected his cognitive abilities.  Rollin fears that Jack's daughter will find him too much to handle and will put him in a home.  Rollin wonders, why not let Jack live in his own home and then move him to assisted living in Michigan when the time comes?

Jack's son-in-law announces to everybody who will listen, "It is the right thing to do.  Everybody says so."

Most of us drinking coffee have the luxury of not having any skin in the game.  Jack and Rollin are admirable men and it is a time of hard decisions.  It is a time when the best decision is a clear and firm decision...empathy but not waffling.

It looks like Jack's departure from Michigan will be a snowy one.

Vaya con Dios, Jack.   Fair winds and may God be with you....and look out for shrapnel.