monogodo

I'd like to remember Ted Gill as a kind, caring, strong man with a good sense of humor.

I remember the first time I met him, the week of Christmas 2001. He was a large man, over 6' tall, and had a good size about him. He wasn't very talkative, but then I haven't found too many fathers of girlfriends to be all that talkative. He seemed to be taken aback when, after dinner one night, I helped clear the table. Toward the end of the week, while shopping with Cynthia and Sally, I learned that he was all set to not like me when he heard I was coming down, but that he couldn't not like me after seeing how well I treated his daughter. Ted and Sally invited two missionaries over for Christmas dinner while we were there. When they arrived, they greeted him and sat down their bags, and one gently asked if he could use the restroom to freshen up. Ted looked him straight in the eyes and said, "No. Sorry, you can't do that." It took a few seconds before the shocked missionaries realized he was joking, and seeing the twinkle in Ted's eyes when they got the joke was priceless.

I remember him walking Cynthia down the aisle to me at our wedding. He seemed very happy to be sharing his wedding anniversary with his daughter.

I remember him approaching me after the wedding, during the reception, and I expected him to want to speak with me. Instead, he asked me if I was drinking champaign. Knowing that he's Mormon, I hesitated before I told him that, yes, it was champaign. He then asked if he could have a taste. I handed him my glass, and he took a sip. He then handed it back and said, "Thank you, I've always wondered what it tasted like."

I remember the first time they visited us in our first loft, he went to bed early, while Sally & Cynthia went for a cup of coffee in the lobby. I was sitting at the computer, when I heard him say, "well hi there." I asked him what was up, and he said he had a visitor. Arianna (our girl kitty) had joined him in the bed, assuming that it was me or Cynthia who had gone to bed. I said I could come get her, but he said she was ok. I understand he was never big on cats, but he petted her while she cuddled up to him.

I remember when they came up to Dallas from McAllen to visit one weekend, and he saw me opening the car door for Cynthia, so he did the same for Sally the rest of the day. Sally was tickled by the gesture, and giggled, which made Ted smile. They looked so much in love that day.

When he would shake my hand, he wouldn't just grip it like most men would. He'd shake it, then switch to the "hooking thumbs" handshake, then switch to another, and another, like we were two gangstas greeting each other in the 'hood.

I have lots of other little memories of him, I hope they stay with me.
As I remember them, I'll add them here.

Good bye, Ted, I only wish we'd had more time together.