Memories of a much-loved friend

[cool_moose]

He lived for 47 years after breaking his neck in 1959 - when he was just 19. But last week, Peter Lindsay died. My dearest friend, the man who changed my life in wonderful ways, has gone

Comments

[keenman]

Yet another testament to how compassionate you are, Tom. I'm sorry that he's gone. It's obvious you both had a huge effect on each other's lives. I hope you have a safe flight and that the service goes well.

It is a very odd coincidence that you mentioned the Kentucky Derby, Chateaugay , the JFK assassination, and 1963. All were recurrent themes in the book I just finished reading, Replay, by Ken Grimwood, in which the main character repeatedly finds his mind transported back into his past. He kept repeating the years 1963 to 1988 and actually was able to use his knowledge of the future to bet on Chateaugay. It was an incredible book.

1963

[cool_moose]

Thank you, Keenan. And, yes - it was a 2-way street

Re: 1963

[keenman]

My, 1963 was a pretty monumental year for you, as was 2005 for me. It is interesting to ponder where I'll be in 2043, when I'm 66. I hope that I have as many fond memories and can consider my life to be as enjoyable and meaningful as yours.

Re: 1963

[cool_moose]

I'm sure that you will have amassed a treasure trove of wonderful events and memories by 2043.
Enjoy, Keenan.

[cobalt999]

In a limited, second-hand way, Peter Lindsay touched my life too. You hear about such stories on talk shows, or read about them from compiled Chicken Soup inspirationals. They are distant and fictitious. But your first-hand account of his courage, grace, and perseverance (and yours) is simply without rival in the world I know. The impressions are manifold, models of why we should nurture hope and compassion regardless of setback. For there are few falls I imagine greater than that which struck Mr Lindsay in 1963.

I never really expressed this properly to you, Tom, but Peter's story, and your part in it, has left a print on my mind, persistent and undiminishing, of the highest human values. Optimism, sacrifice, esteem, commitment; it goes on in a cluttered, wordy jumble, all converging on a single idea: beauty. You would perhaps be surprised by how many different arenas of my mind now find Peter and you present.

That was a tribute built of heartwood. It moves me to tears.

[cool_moose]

Your comment moved me to tears too, Chris. Thank you, so much.
It's wonderful to think that Peter's courageous life has touched you as well - another friend I value and love.

[colinmarshall]

Now I'm interested; how did he use his slide rule? Or, for that matter, how did you guys figure your way around the finger-and-arm-usage-intensive world of engineering? That alone would make a good book.

[cool_moose]

Quads have various levels of arm movement. Typically they have control over biceps, but not triceps. Peter could draw his hand back, but not curl it forward and had good side-to-side arm movement. If he drew his hand back, the fingers would open, relaxing the hand and the fingers would close. He could draw his hand back, opening the fingers, place it on an object and let his hand relax, thus closing his fingers around someting - a cup, a sandwhich - to pick it up

[aaronapps]

I often find that quadriplegics end up doing great things with their lives. And more power to them-although I do see the limiting factor of being in a wheel chair as being a bit depressing-but inspired people tend to have an internal resilience to such limitations

[cool_moose]

Well, not many quads went on to work for 30+ years. But he was determined.
As for the hockey, he played on a line with Andre Boudrias and Yvan Cournoyer in the Montreal Canadiens Junior league. They were 15-16 when he was 18-19 and went on to famed careers in the NHL. Peter had no intention of going pro - he was more interested in university. And in those days (late 50's) the salaries in the 6-team NHL were quite ordinary (and sane, versus now).
It's been a hard week. :-(