A victorious Jimmy on one of the fishing trips he loved in the old days.
I was saddened to learn this morning of the recent death of a wonderful Facebook friend, Jimmy Pollard, a native of Newport News and a retired florist extraordinaire. Growing up in the same town as Jimmy, he was about ten years older than me so I didn't know him well, but I did on occasion later in life buy flowers from his Hidenwood location for my mother who lived nearby. But the Lord puts people in touch with each other in many different ways, and in our case it was via Facebook. Jimmy and I carried on a wonderful conversation via the internet for the last few years and I always looked forward to hearing from him. We had a number of things in common that we shared, including our love of the memories of the old days in Newport News and her neighbor towns, our love of the ocean and local waters, fishing and our experiences having a parent of Scots descent. We first came in touch when I posted a story about my dad and his life as a doctor and Jimmy left the comment, "one of Newport News' finest" and our relationship followed.
I know that Jimmy had been ill of late and that he suffered from chronic pain as do I. I can even remember on a particular morning when was up before dawn dealing with arthritis, I was writing a post to take me mind off of it when the Messenger bill rang and there was Jimmy, asking if I was okay. Jimmy was that kind of guy, a man who could find sunshine in the middle of a hurricane and who passed that countenance on to all he came in contact with. Over recent days, his lack of correspondence was missed and so I went to his page to see if things were okay. Sadly, that nagging feeling I had was true and I must confess it brought a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. And I also know that the many people of the Virginia Peninsula who knew him and loved him are touched as well. But I also know that with the love of God that Jimmy possessed as a very devout Christian, it should be a time of joy.
So, Jimmy, you have not only led a very successful and rewarding life, but you have passed the ultimate measure of success as you enter His Kingdom and take your seat at the place set for you at His table. And may God be with your family in their time of grief and comfort them and heal them. Like the words you used several years back to describe about my father, you, too, were one of Newport News' finest. And Jimmy, enjoy your eternity with no more suffering or pain now that you have arrived home. Enjoy your well earned rest.
I know that Jimmy had been ill of late and that he suffered from chronic pain as do I. I can even remember on a particular morning when was up before dawn dealing with arthritis, I was writing a post to take me mind off of it when the Messenger bill rang and there was Jimmy, asking if I was okay. Jimmy was that kind of guy, a man who could find sunshine in the middle of a hurricane and who passed that countenance on to all he came in contact with. Over recent days, his lack of correspondence was missed and so I went to his page to see if things were okay. Sadly, that nagging feeling I had was true and I must confess it brought a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. And I also know that the many people of the Virginia Peninsula who knew him and loved him are touched as well. But I also know that with the love of God that Jimmy possessed as a very devout Christian, it should be a time of joy.
So, Jimmy, you have not only led a very successful and rewarding life, but you have passed the ultimate measure of success as you enter His Kingdom and take your seat at the place set for you at His table. And may God be with your family in their time of grief and comfort them and heal them. Like the words you used several years back to describe about my father, you, too, were one of Newport News' finest. And Jimmy, enjoy your eternity with no more suffering or pain now that you have arrived home. Enjoy your well earned rest.
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