Everyone out there please do yourselves a favor. If you have someone you care about, call them before it is too late. My old friend Bert Beachy passed away today. I meant to call him earlier this week-I really did. I got sick with allergies real bad and that turned into the flu the last few days, but that is absolutely no excuse. I should have called my friend.
Bert was an 86 year-old Amish horse dealer. I don't even know how many years I knew him, but if he had a horse I wanted, he and I would dicker over the phone from 2200 miles apart. I did not have to look at the horse-Bert would not lie to me. He in turn did not need to worry about getting paid. Our word was our bond.
Every year I would visit Bert in Berlin at his home and he would take me to town for breakfast or lunch. It was almost always his treat...his way of paying for the gas it took to get us there. Bert had a phone and even electricity in his home, but never drove a car.
Last time we talked was probably about 6 weeks ago. He had some cheap horses he wanted me to watch and sell for him. Later in the conversation, he told me he had been to the doctor recently and the doctor told Bert that he had cancer. Bert needed more testing, but confided in me that he was not going to treat the cancer. "I've lived 86 years and had a very good life. I even met President George W. Bush and got a picture with him. I am ready to die. It's ok, because I know I am going to Heaven because I love Jesus Christ."
I was a little stunned, but I sort of pooh-poohed him. I told him the doctor was probably wrong. He was telling me he was going to die soon, and I simply did not realize it. He was in better shape than I was last September and October. I would never have dreamed he was anywhere near 86!
I learned many lessons about life from Bert and every time we spoke, at some point he told me about Jesus. He said if you follow the Lord, everything will always work out just fine. I sort of pooh-poohed him about the Lord too. Maybe I should have paid more attention.
We often discussed our different views of life, but in most ways, we thought alike. Never once did he judge me. Bert also told me to beware of two certain former Amish horse people, both of whom screwed me out of money. Bert told me they were trash, and I let myself get screwed by them. 30 years ago, those two would both be dead today. Bert taught me how to let go of getting screwed financially-that the Lord would collect my debts from them for me.
Bert was very well spoken, sharp witted, and very profound-especially for a man who never went to school past 8th grade. Bert was a good horseman, a better father, grandfather, husband, and a very loyal friend. We spoke several times each year for an hour or so, especially after his wife and son died two years ago. I always called just before Christmas and loved hearing his tales of life.
Last fall Bert tried to buy my car for $2500...not for him, but for one of his grandsons. I laughed and said I probably should take it, but I had to get back to Las Vegas somehow. He grinned and confided to me he thought the car was worth far more than $2500.
Enough rambling. Please give your friends and loved ones a call before it is too late. Adios, Bert. Hope to see you again one day (preferably not too soon).
