Saturday, February 8, 2014
My fondest memories of the sweet dear Jim Powers was when I was 14 years old working at Glen Maury Pool located in Buena Vista,VA. I was working my first summer job and worked lots of hours at the pool. Jimmy and Norma enjoyed camping at GMP and I knew Memorial Day weekend I was going to see the red truck hauling the camper behind it! Before they would even get everything set up; he would have to come up to the pool to make sure we were all ready to go...with his golden tan he always had; he would always give me the biggest hugs and ask me if I wanted something to eat or did I want to come down and visit. This was every summer too when they would come stay at the park for like a week. Jim and Norma became my summer family but not was it just summer; they became my family through everything. I remember making my way to Bedford for Tonyas wedding and was absolutely taken by the warm welcome and love that Jimmy and Norma gave me! I would always enjoy Jimmy telling me about his bus driving experiences and how he made such an impact on the children he and Norma fostered! His contagious and loving smile and hugs were ones that I will forever cherish! When I found out he was pretty ill around Christmas; I had the opportunity to chat with him and when we started to hang up; he told me he loved me...I knew he did as well as Norma. When Norma phoned me this past Wednesday to tell me he had taken a fall and it was not looking good for sweet Jimmy, I told Norma I was coming to visit him this Sunday...needless to say; I will be visiting in another way...to say my goodbye to one of the greatest men in my life...I can always hold close my special day that I had the opportunity to meet a great man that would soon become my family...to his children and grandchildren and Norma....I thank you for sharing this amazing man with me...I was the privileged one and just know that when I feel sad...I will look to the skies and know that he is looking down and still giving me those hugs and kisses! I will see this incredible man again...go rest high on that mountain Sweet Jimmy....I love you to the moon and back...Lisa
