Words from Katie...

I wanted to write and tell you and sugar and the rest of blogville that I was a good friend of Larry's too. My name is Katie. I was so shocked and deeply crushed when I read of Larry passing away. The stories are endless when it comes to all the people that Larry touched. All the lives that are forever changed because of his kindness....his wisdom...his love. I am yet another story. The last time I spoke with Larry was on the phone on Thursday afternoon before he died on Saturday. I was headed into a seminar/meeting for my job. We chatted for probably ten minutes then my partner arrived and I had to let Larry go. Our conversation was just like the countless other that we'd had. He was full of wisdom and advice and encouraged me to always do my very best. I had no idea he had cancer. He kept that a secret from me. I, like so many others -wished he would have shared so we could have helped him the way he'd us. Larry shared so much about his children, the farm, his road trips and of course...his desire to find the right woman for him to love. We thought we'd hook up this summer in Peoria. My husband and I were both looking forward to meeting him.It's sad that I'll never get to meet Larry in person. We'd talk in the mornings while he was in his office and I was on my way to the YMCA. Then he'd call my office in the afternoon just to say hi and see how my day was going. Always the gentleman, always caring about me and what was going on in my life. I miss those chats dearly. I miss his sexy southern voice. I miss my friend. A day doesn't go by that I wish he'd call. I've wept many tears and asked God why he took such a sweet man. It's so not fair. I will never understand.

To Larry~ I miss you sexy farmer of mine. I will think about you for a very long time. To his family~ I offer my deepest sympathies. To all of Blogville~ We had a priceless gem in our midst...may he forever shine in our hearts and lives.

Love~ Katie*