To say Bobby was just my neighbor would be an incredible understatement.
Every day for the past 7 years I’ve lived next to Bobby, and almost every day I’d come home and some how manage to run into him and sweet Canny (they were always perusing around the neighborhood, I would joke and call him Gladys). Bobby was so friendly and caring, he made it impossible not to become his friend. We could start talking and talking and next thing we knew the sun was setting and mosquitoes had already started feasting on us. It never failed almost everyday, I could see him pass by through the windows, and at night we’d just see his shadow go by as we watched TV. “There goes Bobby, wonder what trouble he’s getting into”
Bobby and I bonded a lot over DIY and home improvement projects we worked on, he was always so excited to show me what new features he put into his condos. “Come check out what I did to the living room! See how we put this secret storage behind the mirror??” If I started working on something outside, Bobby would come around asking about what I was doing and if I needed help. Secretly, I never knew what I was doing and always needed help so sometimes I would be extra loud hoping Bobby would come save the day and sure enough he almost always would.
Bobby even let me borrow his truck a couple of times when I would need to pick up something large like our new fireplace. He was so trusting like that. I’ll never forget one time I had very critical doctors appointment and somehow managed to find myself without a car. Bobby without hesitation said of course I could borrow his truck, so there I was this tiny little woman in this HUGE truck making my way to Lewisville. Well in my frazzled hurry to make it there I forgot the truck was lifted and fell out into the parking lot in front of the whole office. Bobby got a big laugh out of that (I was fine of course).
My favorite time in the neighborhood was summer time, because Bobby would bring back all his plants. Between our own huge plants, bobby’s beautiful pink and white flower ones, and the Texas humidity, it felt like a Hawaiian oasis in our little corner of the condos. Sometimes Bobby would hide fake snakes around the plants to try and scare us. The worst was during Halloween Bobby thought it was hilarious to hide this skeleton man in his truck or around the corner trying to prank us, but it never worked and I’d just roll my eyes at him. “I’ve seen scarier things Bobby!”
After Canny passed, I saw Bobby more and more outside tending to things, it seemed as though he needed to stay busy and out of the house to not think about how much he missed her. My heart really went out to him as I know what it’s like to lose a pet. He loved her so much he was always off on adventures with her at the lake or with his kids. Those were Bobby’s favorite things: his kids and grand babies, Canny, the lake, and his plants.
Over the last few months it’s been unbearably quiet in the neighborhood, like this unsettling and uncomfortable stillness. I don’t hear Bobby in the mornings anymore, waking me up with his loud chuckles and Canny’s barking. His plants that would already be out are no where to be found and the fake snakes lay about in the same places. It’s been difficult to comprehend that my friend won’t be there anymore when I get home. He won’t be watering his plants, or tinkering with his truck. It feels so empty here without him but I look at the sign near his door, the one that says “I’d rather be lost at the lake, than found out home” and I know that’s where he is. Bobby’s at the lake, looking out on a beautiful sunset with Canny by his side.
He was one of the kindest, giving, loving persons I’ve known. He will be surely missed and I send my condolences and love to his dear family ❤️
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