My friend "Big R"

This past Friday I was sad to learn that a person who was part of my second family growing up, passed away. Ray Hudson, aka 'Big R', was a father and grandfather to a family I spent most of my teen years with. I looked at Big R like my own Grandpa at times and I'll be damned if he did not try at times to keep Little D & I in line when we were in our wild and crazy days. I can't count the number of times we would roll into Ray & Glady's at all hours of the night and commence to munchie time, or awaken Grandpa for a ride back to Goshen, or a myriad of other things we would do. God, we were a major pain in the ass. Big R never held a grudge about it either. Once in awhile we would get a talking to from Big D or Chris about not bothering the grandparents with our all hours habits we used to have. We would chill for a day or two, then all would be well. I can't recall a time when you were not welcome in Ray & Gladys, and for that, I was extremely grateful.

Ray is now in a better place where life's physical sufferings are no more. Good bye Big R, and God bless you.