Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Dear Marlyn, Cindy, Andrea and family,
My deepest sympathy and condolences on the untimely passing of Scott. I am heartbroken for each, and all of you, to have lost that special person who has been part of the joy of your life. Scott will be “forever young” for me because most of my memories of him are from those days when he was just “the little brother” of my high school sweetheart. Even at that young age Scott was mature beyond his years, and unlike other “little brothers” I found him to be very considerate, caring and respectful of his sister, and surprisingly friendly to me. Unlike the stories my friends would tell me of “little brothers” who constantly followed them around, never respected their privacy, or continually teased their sisters, Scott was polite, good company, and usually greeted me with a smile and a brief conversation before scampering off to do his own thing, or watch a ball game with his Dad. Over the years as I stayed in touch with Cindy, Scott and I would cross paths because of our common interest in history and philosophy. His photos of Little Falls doors (and the stories behind them) were remarkable, and more so the comment he shared with me that follows: “Hi Gary, Cyn sent me those historic pictures and you said something about memory lane, so I thought I'd send you some shots I took for fun. You know my favorite is the sidewalk metal plate with the business "E L Timmerman builder" stamped on it. As a child in LF low to the ground, I remember those plates were important. We'd walk all around LF and there they were everywhere, a sense of home security was provided even if we walked all the way to the skating rink/swimming pool, I found them, and I knew I was not too far away from home. I wonder if you can relate to the Timmerman plates in the sidewalks like me. I don't think either of my sisters understand what I am talking about. Maybe it is a guy thing.”
Another time he shared a philosophical metaphor, “The Coffee or the Cup!” where a group of alumni gather to meet with their old University Professor who puts on the table a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. He returns to find that all the expensive and good looking cups are taken, leaving the functional but cheap or plain ones untaken. Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."
God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee! "The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
Scott enjoyed his coffee, made the best of everything, cared for many, and loved generously.
The memories you share of Scott are priceless. Scott has left us with many memories which will keep him alive in our hearts forever.
God bless you with strength and understanding during this trying time to help you through the pain of your loss.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gary T. Staffo