October 2023

I met Robert and Laura through a mutual friend, we were younger, and I was ignorant of just how important these people would become in my life. I was ignorant of the trials and sorrows that would creep up on me and I never dreamed that one day I would awaken in an ICU to see and hear Robert and Laura, there to bring me out of the dark, to literally save me from despair and my decision to give up, to end my life. Both of them brought me into their reality, a world where friends were family and wrapped you in love when the road got rough, This was about 40 years ago. I’m still here because they were there.

I cannot even begin to tell you about all the kindnesses and generosity these two remarkable people gave me. I had a surgery one summer later and Robert brought a huge air conditioner to help me stay cool. I sometimes got stuck at Rainbow Rance because the weather turned bad and Robert would drive my clunky car to a better road, letting me follow in his four wheel drive. He was incredibly skilled at so many things, left me in awe.

Robert wasn’t the kind of friend who told you what you wanted to hear; he was the kind that asked you to consider your choices in the light of real life. He was the big brother, the the father, the friend who offered a landline and let you pull yourself toward the shore. Robert loved his family as much as anyone I’ve ever known. I will always try to deserve his friendship, to live to my potential.

Jesse Ferguson.  

Dear Laura,

Sending you the biggest hug!