Goodbye Mo

I would like to leave one last thought from the 2009 Training Camp.

Few people in our lives actually leave a lasting impression on us, but when they do the loss of that person affects us deeply.
Charlie "Mo" was one of those people; I have worked the Training Camp for fourteen years and except for one summer Mo was there with me the whole way.
Who was Mo? He was a gentleman of the South who liked you or didn't like you with nothing in between.We started off on the wrong foot and had a fifteen minute heated verbal exchange between us, our different ethnic backgrounds and our very similar tempers for that moment got the better of us.
For the rest of the camp we had a tenuous relationship at best, Mo did his job but kept his distance. All I could think of was how much "fun" it was going to be next year.
Eleven months later when I returned to start setting up for camp there was Mo, I went over to him thinking this could be a long few weeks. Much to my surprise Mo came over and gave me a hug and said "great to see you Boss, what needs to be done?"
For the years that followed Mo was always there, he was my lead evening cook, the steaks were his to grill. When the food was under control he made sure the dishes were stacked and washed.
A few months ago Charlie "Mo" passed away, I did not have a chance to say goodbye and I missed the hug of friendship and respect.
Mo they say you go to a better place, for you I hope so as you always seemed to enjoy life.
Your name was mentioned many times at camp this year, we put that small steak that you always loved on the corner of the grill. We slowly and gently cooked it for the hour or so that you would have taken. I also think we used less watermelon and salt than usual, did you really eat that much?

But most of all I missed the seven o'clock, "is that it Boss?" Then before he left the hug and handshake were our way of saying dinner was over, great job, thank you and good night.

Charlie "Mo" thank you for being my friend and for pushing me when I needed to be pushed. I hope they are letting you drink that beer while waiting for the fish to bite.

Charlie "Mo"..... goodbye.