Pablo

[munnster]

How do you prepare yourself for a tragedy like this? How do you help others in need, when you yourself are hurting so bad and can’t understand why? Paul and I were like brothers. We lived together for about 5 years at a glorious place called Camp Wahpaton. During those years we learned to canoe down the shell rock river, build tree houses in the woods, play yard golf with a front 9 and back 9, play endless hours of Nuclear Risk, experiment with Eric’s mind control glasses, and even dabble in the Stock market. It was there that I discovered what a great friend I had in Paul. He was always there for me when I needed him. I, in turn, was always there when he needed me. I watched him go through some trying times. Most notably, the time in Canada when he hooked the biggest lake trout I’ve ever seen. It had to have been 20 lbs or more. We finally got it to the boat after an hour of it dragging our canoe up and down the lake. He was yelling “Mark, grab it”. I said “Grab it where, it’s gigantic.” Finally I got a hold of the steal leader and not a second later, the fish busted the hook right off and was gone. We had nothing but a fish story to tell back at camp that night. Of course nobody believed us. But more recently he had been doing quite well with his businesses and his recent engagement. Peace be with you Jess, and with all of Paul’s family and friends. Just a month ago, Paul told me he had never been happier in his life. I had just talked to him Friday over lunch about the idea of bringing a Pablo’s Grille to Sun Prairie. I hope I can still help Paul fulfill that dream. I’ll do everything I can to keep his dream alive. I know that is what he would want. Pablo, I love you and I will miss you always.
Munnster

[Mel]

munnster wrote:

How do you prepare yourself for a tragedy like this? How do you help others in need, when you yourself are hurting so bad and can’t understand why? Paul and I were like brothers. We lived together for about 5 years at a glorious place called Camp Wahpaton. During those years we learned to canoe down the shell rock river, build tree houses in the woods, play yard golf with a front 9 and back 9, play endless hours of Nuclear Risk, experiment with Eric’s mind control glasses, and even dabble in the Stock market. It was there that I discovered what a great friend I had in Paul. He was always there for me when I needed him. I, in turn, was always there when he needed me. I watched him go through some trying times. Most notably, the time in Canada when he hooked the biggest lake trout I’ve ever seen. It had to have been 20 lbs or more. We finally got it to the boat after an hour of it dragging our canoe up and down the lake. He was yelling “Mark, grab it”. I said “Grab it where, it’s gigantic.” Finally I got a hold of the steal leader and not a second later, the fish busted the hook right off and was gone. We had nothing but a fish story to tell back at camp that night. Of course nobody believed us. But more recently he had been doing quite well with his businesses and his recent engagement. Peace be with you Jess, and with all of Paul’s family and friends. Just a month ago, Paul told me he had never been happier in his life. I had just talked to him Friday over lunch about the idea of bringing a Pablo’s Grille to Sun Prairie. I hope I can still help Paul fulfill that dream. I’ll do everything I can to keep his dream alive. I know that is what he would want. Pablo, I love you and I will miss you always.
Munnster

Mark,
This is beautiful! I'm sure Paul would have been so humbled to have his good friend say such kind and heartfelt things as this about him. I didn't even know Paul, but when I read what you wrote, I got tears in my eyes...because he sounded like such a great and fun friend. And the fish story....I could just see you guys out there on that boat trying to reel in that fish!! LOL! I enjoyed reading this.

[Historian]

Mark, what a beautiful tribute to your friend, Paul. I really don't remember him that well, but that doesn't matter because he was your friend, so I care, too. I do remember the Camp and the great times that you guys had there, and they will always be in your heart! No one can predict when our time is up, and it is almost always too soon for us to let go of people we love. All we can do is love those that we care about, and hope that we have them near for a long time. Hang tough and always enjoy the memories of Pablo that you keep in your heart and memory bank of life!

[Historian]

"No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow."
Euripides

"All we can do is live life to the fullest, be good to our friends, and love to the max"!
Orion Fizzleberry

[Orion Fizzleberry]

"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same."
Elbert Hubbard

"Pablo was my friend for life, and I will always carry the great memories of our youthful joys in my heart. His death cannot take away the times and great friends that we made at the "camp"! Paul, may your soul rest in peace as we try to unravel the injustice of losing such a great friend!"
Frigid Prince for Mark M.

[Ice King]

Those are nice comments.

[Frigid Prince]

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."
Dale Carnegie

"Remember your friends and cherish each day!"
Bohemial Munechek

[98 LBS]

Around the corner I have a friend
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone

And I never see my old friend's face,
For life is a swift and terrible race,
He knows I like her just as well
As in the days when Wahpaton fell,

We were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men.
Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.
"Tomorrow" I say "I will call on Paul"
"Just to show that I'm thinking of him"

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,
And distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner!-yet miles away,
"Here's a phone call sir-"
"Paul died today."
And that's what I get and deserve in the end.
Around the corner, a vanished friend.

If you love someone, tell them.
Remember always to say "what you mean".
Never be afraid to express yourself.
Take this opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you.
Seize the day and have no regrets.
Most importantly, stay close to your friends and family,
They have helped to make you the person you are today.
Give that someone a call.
Let it make a difference in your day and theirs.

[Historian]

"Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Paul's hand of friendship will always be with you!

98 lbs.-- the above poem was tremendous, with the original and the additions!

[Historian]

Wahpaton Days

The trees turned dark on this sad day,

The dogs they knew, but couldn't say.

Paul died and left a hole in our hearts,

Life's roles have many and varied parts.

He was a friend to all he met,

Our friendship has an unmet debt.

We promised to be there for ever more,

We just don't know what is in store!

How could we know that this was it,

Our buddies would take this tragic hit!

This sadness tearing at our lifeless heart,

It struck us like an errant dart!

As tears run down my forlorn face,

I curse the fate of the human race!

How could God take this super friend,

And take it to such a tragic end!

Well, goodbye Paul, we will try to live,

We know your "hope" is what you give!

We'll never forget your peaceful smile,

And how you went that extra mile!

You'll live forever in our hearts and mind,

We hope, like you, we can be so kind!

The "camp is closed, the lights are out,

But your spirit shines to ease the doubt!

God Bless you for your friendship true,

Your buddies will miss that "special" YOU!!!

[Ice King]

Historian, thanks so much for the poem. It brought a tear to my eye.

[Historian]

Thanks, Ice King, I had hoped that you would like it!

"Words can never replace a friend, but maybe they can sooth the crying heart!"
Orion Fizzleberry

[Emily Dickinson]

Because I could not stop for Death

BECAUSE I could not stop for Death--
He kindly stopped for me--
The Carriage held but just Ourselves--
And Immortality.

We slowly drove--He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labour and my leisure too,
For His Civility--

We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess--in the Ring--
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain--
We passed the Setting Sun--

Or rather--He passed Us--
The Dews drew quivering and chill--
For only Gossamer, my Gown--
My Tippet--only Tulle--

We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground--
The Roof was scarcely visible--
The Cornice--in the Ground--

Since then--'tis Centuries--and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses Heads
Were toward Eternity--

Emily Dickinson

[Historian]

"April is the cruellest month."
T. S. Eliot

"Death is never happy, but sometimes it makes us realize what is important in life!"
Orion Fizzleberry

[Historian]

"While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die."
Leonardo da Vinci

"We all are living and dying at the same time, so live, love, and be happy!"
Frigid Prince

[Jim Morrison]

Take the highway to the
end of the night
End of the night
End of the night
Take a journey to the bright midnight
End of the night
End of the night

Realms of bliss
Realms of light
Some are born to sweet delight
Some are born to sweet delight
Some are born to the endless night

End of the night
End of the night
End of the night
End of the night

Realms of bliss
Realms of light
Some are born to sweet delight
Some are born to sweet delight
Some are born to the endless night

End of the night
End of the night
End of the night
End of the night

[Orion Fizzleberry]

"And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul.
There walks a man we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold.
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.

And he's buying a stairway to heaven."
Led Zeppelin

[Prince of Tides]

"The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician. Things like old folks singing in the moonlight in the back yard on a hot night or something said long ago."
Louis Armstrong

"Memories of young friends singing at the camp, drinking a brewsky around a log fire on a cool, fall night. Talking about life and what we are going to do with it as the dogs run around the yard trying to catch a rabbit! These are the sad/happy memories of friendships!"
Orion Fizzleberry

[John H]

THEY LIVED, LAUGHTED, LOVED AND LEFT.

J.J.

[MMuNn]

Pablo, still missing you brother. Hope all is well where you are now.