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I miss you Ernie

 I have always lucked out in that my employers became strong male role models in my life. Men who become my friend, my mentor, people I grew to love and value like family. It was no different with Ernie Graveline. He probably should of fired me on multiple occasions, but he didn't, he stuck by me. A kind man, a good man, a husband, a father, an entrepreneur. It has only been a month or so since he passed. Prostate cancer took Ernie as it does so many. It wasn't his first fight with cancer.  

Before Ernie passed I was able to sell Columbia Ice for him and his wife. New owners were great in the process of buying and very understanding. I will forever be thankful for that because selling a business is not easy. There are plenty of areas you can trip and fall out of a sale. The new owners have invested in growing the business by buying a new ice machine. Today we started the installation process. As I sit here looking at the new machine installed, I felt sadness. I wish Ernie was here, I wish I was doing this with him. I don't say this to be disrespectful to the new owners. Ernie was like a father to me. It is moments like this I miss him. You can't predict when memories of those you loved and lost will wash over you. Now is one of those times. I think back to when I first started at Columbia Ice, how Ernie and I spent more time together than we did with our wives. He would tell me stories of his life, from a young boy to an older man. I was never able to share as my stories are locked away... but I listened and learned. Along the way a friendship developed... a friendship cancer took away from me.  

Don't feel sorry for me please... it is okay to remember those that had a profound affect on our lives with tears. I was blessed to know Ernie. I am comfortable with tears and crying while remembering those I loved. I am comfortable as a man loving another man. Friendship is so hard to find in this world and Ernie was a dear, dear friend.  

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