A Remembrance of Paul Fisher

All

I trust that everyone had a great Mother's Day.  You may have called her, given her flowers, taken her out to brunch, or bought her a gift to show your appreciation and love.  But man, I haven't seen anything as heartfelt as Kevin Durant's acceptance speech after he was crowned as this year's NBA MVP.  Check it out.  Make sure you have a box of kleenex handy. 

Just this last Saturday, there was a memorial for our late friend Paul Fisher.  He was a gentlemen and sportsman in every sense of the words and gave more to his friends and family without expecting anything in return.  A true testament to a life well lived.

In attendance was University Club member Noah Griffin who recited a poem which nicely captured the moment. Thanks to Jack Bickel, who also delivered a touching eulogy, for passing the following along to me.

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How Did You Die?

by Edmund Vance Cooke (1866-1932)

"Did you tackle the trouble that came your way

    With a resolute heart and cheerful?

Or hide your face from the light of day

    With a craven soul and fearful?

Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,

    Or a trouble is what you make it,

And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,

     But only how did you take it?

"You are beaten to earth?  Well, well, what's that?

     Come up with a smiling face.

It's nothing against you to fall down flat,

      But to lie there--that's disgrace.

The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;

      Be proud of your blackened eye!

It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,

      It's how did you fight--and why?

"And though you be done to the death, what then?

     If you battled the best you could,

If you played your part in the world of men,

     Why, the Critic will call it good.

Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,

     And whether he's slow or spry,

It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,

     But only how did you die?"

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And in closing, I'll add this because of it's cleverness.....

Thanks to Jim Prigoff for passing this on to me.

"Lexophile" is a word used to describe those who love using words in rather unique ways, such as "you can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish", or "to write with a broken pencil is pointless." A competition to see who can come up with the best one is held every year.  This year's winning submission is posted at the very end.

When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.

A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles U.C.L.A.

The batteries were given out free of charge.

A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

A will is a dead giveaway.

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

When you've seen one shopping Center you've seen a mall.

Police were called to a day care Center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.

Did you hear about the fellow whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.

A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.

When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.

The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine is now fully recovered.

He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

When she saw her first strands of gray hair she thought she'd dye.

Acupuncture is a jab well done. That's the point of it.

And the cream of the wretched crop:

Those who get too big for their pants will be exposed in the end.

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As far as my health is concerned, I'm doing well and am in remission.  My doctor's appointments have been pared down to once a month.  And my meds are reduced as well.

I hope to start playing squash again come this summer.

John