R.I.P. Phil Rambikur

As many of you know, we have recently moved into a new neighborhood in the semi- bustling town of Hutto, Texas. (Feel free to insert your best "Hee Haw"saaaalute here!) Our neighborhood is called Emory Farms. Yes, part of it is still a farm, which I presume is still run by the Emory family. We have some great neighbors and everyone looks out for everybody else. One of our neighbors, Phil Rambikur, passed away recently from complications related to knee surgery. I didn't really know Phil well, but dutifully went to his funeral yesterday. I didn't know what to expect, but I came away more appreciative for my own being than I did going in.

Phil was only 67 years old when he passed. He had been a teacher, principal and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. He was part of a C-130 crew that directed missions in Vietnam during that conflict and was subsequently stationed in Germany. He served much of his time as a member of the Air Force Reserve. He had a great, loving family and, as I learned, had a real zest for life. One of his former teachers related a story about how they used to chase each other around the school ( after the students had left for the year) with these big water cannons. The battle escalated from year to year, and Phil, being a military man, developed the biggest and best weaponry of anyone, and dominated the fray. The winner was ultimately determined by how thoroughly soaked one became. Phil planned and carried out his strategy which resulted in total victory.

I think that the way Phil lived his life should be a lesson to all. He handled all situations with humor and a sense of aplomb. I left the services realizing that Phil lived every day to the fullest, and beyond that, lived every day like it could be his last. How many of us, including me, can honestly say that we are like Phil? Not many, I am sure!

So here I am, 68 years old, with ravages of old age starting to creep up on me. I find myself grouchy at times, lots of times according to my family, and attribute it to advancing chronology. However, I am going to try to change my attitude. I will be speaking to myself in the next few stanzas:

"So you have aches and pains; that's what Tylenol was invented for. Take some and quit moaning!"

"So you probably suffer from "low T" A majority of men your age share this malady. Did you ever hear of a Urologist; they are in the phone book! Make an appointment and go to one!"

"So you have trouble getting up from your knees due to two hip replacements? That's one the things that canes were invented for. When you are out working  on the sprinklers or doing woodwork in your shop and have to go to the floor, use your cane. It's a simple movement! Aren't you embarrassed when you have to crawl like a child halfway across the lawn, until you come to a tree that you can use to help you up? I think that you know the answer to that question!"

"At your age you still are not sure of salvation or eternity? You read the Bible, attend Church, pray, try to live a good life, love your family, are kind to strangers and pets, have a smile for the cashier at the grocery store, say "hi" to people that you meet while out walking, and try to respect everyone regardless of race, color, creed, religious or political affiliation (that last one gets harder to do all of the time!). If you talk to the preacher about this, you can predict what the answer will be. The bottom line answer to this burning (no pun intended) issue lies within you. You have to have faith and believe that the Blood of Jesus Christ was shed to save you and all sinners like you."

Hey, that's probably the answer that the preacher would have given me!

If you are still reading, thanks for indulging me. I guess what I am trying to say is that we are never too old to learn from the examples that other people set for us. R.I.P. Phil Rambikur, you were a fine example to us all. May we all strive to live our lives the way that you lived yours!