Remembering and appreciating friends.
Today, 3rd June, is the 15th anniversary of the death of a close friend of mine who died in the northern summer of 94. In fact, he was the best friend I ever had.
His name was Peter Vernon Booth (Pete) and he was a very unusual man. Think eccentric English boffin. Highly intelligent (IQ off the scale), yet very sensitive and spiritually astute, Pete was one of those people with heaps to contribute to to world in many areas, yet who died long before his time. He was around 8 years older than me so was in some respects a different generation.
Pete was treated very badly by many boorish people. And no, he did not ‘attract’ it. He was himself and because he did not fit in he got stamped on. He thought about others and their needs – he was not a selfish person. His car was like an aircraft inside – he had so many gadgets and dials that told him all this stuff about the engine and so on. I never understood it all and yet Pete was not a car enthusiast; just a very clever scientist who made his life easier. He even had the car set up so it could not be started unless you tapped part of the inside in a certain spot. Yes, that’s right, tapped. And the car must have been 15-20 years old. Pete was not worried about appearances.
Peter Booth was a computer expert and wrote programs in machine code (assembly language). At one time he worked in Cheltenham. If we dig deeply enough in life we will often find that we actually owe a great deal to the scientist types in their grey cardigans. World War Two was a key example. The sort of people many of us might mock for their eccentricity or dorkish appearance. And we think we are so clever. Personally I was proud to call Pete my friend, but then I could see into the deep, and what really mattered.
Have you ever noticed how people say all this nice stuff about the dead at funerals? How much better it is to appreciate the people who love you, and those who are your friends, now – before they depart. Take time today to say good things to them and about them – don’t leave it to their funeral. We get precious little positive encouragement and few compliments in our day to day life so why not be the person who makes a difference in the lives of others – it won’t do them any good when they are dead. And guess what? You will feel better too.
I always remember Pete Booth every 3rd June. His life enriches mine still today, even though he has been gone for 15 years now. That is his legacy.
Are you enriching any body’s life?
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