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Cliff-I Just Can't See You Gone! May 1, 2010
I just can’t see you gone!
You’re here with that big grin.
It won’t be long and it’s a smile for a mile.
There you are with a joke.
There you are with that laugh that makes one laugh.
There you are with that serious look when you’re not at all.
I can see you riding your bike.
I can see you drinking a beer in the evening after a hard day cycling.
I can see you having the first cup of coffee in the morning.
I can see you taking Lisa something as she wakes.
I can see so many things and you!
I just can’t see you gone!
You couldn’t fade away- to ease the pain.
You had to leave abruptly.
I’ve been saved the emotional “send-off”.
I won’t be saying goodbye and looking at your face one more time.
I won’t see your wife and children cry.
Except- I do. I see them now.
And now I don’t because my eyes burn with tears.
So- it sinks in more and more.
It’s no doubt easier for me for thousands of reasons.
But- he didn’t leave in my presence.
I was told. It was a shock.
He wasn’t snatched out from under my eyes though.
I don’t have to arrange the funeral. Guests. Friends. Relatives.
They probably knew what dinner would be that evening.
He was going to ride his tandem with his wife later in the week.
Next week!
The week after.
They were a team. That’s what they did.
They did all these things.
Now one half of a duet is now a solo act.
The kids. The kids. The kids.
I can see so much!
I just can’t see you gone!
Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton - Can't Find My Way Home
Cliff was a giant of a man and a giant of a "family man"!
Here are Cliff and Lisa climbing one of the hardest hills to climb. This is Paint Gap!
Cliff & Lisa Descend Highway 80 on their tandem bicycle!
Cliff and Lisa Climb Bald Mountain-07/19/07- On Tandem Bicycle
Feels Like Home
May 1, 2010
"M,
I have come to your name through your
web site and
I may be the original bearer of some bad news for you. Since you seem to
know Cliff and Lisa Davis from activities at the Bicycle Inn, I
unfortunately
need to report that Cliff has died from an apparent massive heart attack
while
doing a bicycle ride with Lisa this past Saturday afternoon on the Tour
de
Cashiers out of Cashiers NC. Their tandem did spill at Cliff's attack,
but Lisa
made the fall without any injury. A good bit of effort was made to
keep Cliff alive at the time, but all efforts proved unsuccessful. _______"
I found out about Cliff after I finished the Raven Rock Ramble. You know how it is. Shock. Stunned. Disbelief. Acceptance!We never know the "hour"! I'd rather "go" and leave Cliff here for a while longer.
MD: "Couldn't You take me Lord?"
God: "No MD. I need Cliff with Me."
MD: "But God- the wife, the kids!"
God: "We have to "turn this way". You'll understand it better 'by and by'."
I don't know what to say!
Cliff & Lisa Descend Duck Branch -June 13, 2006
Cliff & Lisa-Tour de Cashiers 2002
Comments
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He is so sorely missed by so many people. Thank you Polly! God bless you!
If you have ever lost anyone you know he is not gone, as the pain dies a little more each day you will allow him closer. You can even talk to him and know his answer. It will get better, I promise. Polly
I will love to you......... and keep smiling
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Oh Poetlorraine- you are a dear heart. Thank you Ma'am! I hear you Dear! You too!
i feel your pain, what a lovely man you are, you put so much effort in to everything you do, what a tribute, what a good friend you are..... sad to hear of your loss, it is obviously sad beyond words, you take care now, you hear....
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Hi TINA! They surely are good bikers. Thank you very much Tina. Everyone can appreciate your kind words! Thank you Ma'am!
Whoever Cliff and Lisa are, they are surely good bikers. But everybody has his or her time to come and go in this world. It is just sad that we will really miss those people close to our hearts. My condolences.
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Gone- but we can never forget. We're on borrowed time. Thank you for warm wishes Pmccray. God bless you Dear!
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Thank you Always Exploring!!! I love it when you love the music. God bless you Always Exploring! God bless!
My condolences friend Micky D. If nothing else your loss reminds us that tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Again I extend my condolences to you, Lisa and the children. Gone but not forgotten.
Peace my friend
I didn,t know him, but u made him real to me. He looked so fit. We never know when God is going to call us home. One thing for sure, he lived the good life, and u are blessed to have so many good friends. Your hubs are wonderful.
God Bless
oh i forgot, I LOVED THE MUSIC!!!!!!
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Hey Mekenzie! It's sad when the Dad doesn't become the greatest grandfather in the world or something. You know- all kinds of possibilities for a man like Cliff.
I'll try to be available for helping.
Let's love one another! Thank you Ma'am.
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Hi Maita. I'm okay. It's all rough as you expect some people to live healthier and longer. Life has its surprises. His leaving has made me reflect a little more inward. I contemplate my own departure. I need to get my affairs in order. I need to see who wants a house full of crap- you know. I need to clean up a bit behind myself but in front of myself. God bless Cliff and his family. Thank you Maita!
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Hey Saddlerider! You always have a kind word Sir. Cliff lived "large" I think! He certainly had a very active life. His laugh may have been his greatest asset. He was blessed with assets though. Thank you Sir.
Mick, tears ran down my cheeks as I read about Cliff's sudden departure. I don't do goodbyes very well and to read of those he left behind... well it's SAD to say the least. Your writing conveyed the close connection he had with his wife ... though the LOSS is HUGE .. his strength as a man is left as a legacy and will be her strength in the days to come.
Your 'last respects' dear MickyDee can still be payed to his wife .. which I'm pretty sure Cliff would rather they go to. He is no more in that body .. and as the days pass .. the need, in her heart, for people to remember him will increase. Most don't understand this .. they all want to be to the funeral .. but the one left behind grieves heavily afterwards. She will appreciate connection with those who were connected to them as a couple .. :0)
When you are ready .. Give her your heart full of love and memories, as only you can do sweet MickyDee .. It will mean the world to her and she will SO appreciate it.
Mekenzie
Mick, are you ok, I know this is so hard for you and for his family, I pray Lisa will be strong and I trust you will always console her to help with the loss, I am sad for you, for his family. HUGS and I hope Lisa feel a hope and some consolation in the memories of her hubby, You take care ok, Maita
Micky Dee my heartfelt condolences for your loss of a good friend and fellow biker. Sadly as I read, we don't know the hour when our creator will pull us to the other side. Thank you for sharing this great tribute in words and song, may Cliff RIP and his family find solace in the comfort of our Lord. Life is a struggle but we must keep moving forward through all of life's trials and tribulations. Peace to you brother.
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Hi Brynda! If it were as simple as writing that blank check and cashing it in for someone. I don't have any pets. I do feed squirrels. Maybe I want to be as good as a squirrel thinks I am. Cliff was/is a great person.
What a wonderful tribute to a friend. I loved the music, it gave me chills while reading the memorial. What's that scripture? "no greater love hath a man than that he would lay down his life for his friends" and I know you would have, Michael, you are truly a giver.
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"God Bless his family. Remember that though he's gone from this place, he's always with you in essence..."
God bless you Lisa!
Thank you Callmefoxxy.
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You're right 50. I want to help. There is some distance but if possible and God willing, yes sir, I would like to help someone.
I didn't attend the "going away". Several problems confronted me. I didn't consider at all initially that I was floored from my ride Sunday. I've wanted to sleep all the time since. It may be a week of two before I recover from Sunday.
I received the "news" Sunday.
I wanted to "be there". No, I couldn't help the situation. It was respect that I'm denied giving. That last "respect"! The family.
A beautiful ode to your friend Micky Dee. God Bless his family. Remember that though he's gone from this place, he's always with you in essence...
callmefoxxy, my pen is a mighty sword!
Mic, a well done tribute of a good family man, by all appearances. It gives you occasion, If they are local to you, to provide aide to a widow with the things in life most women don't do. Like most things mechanical around the home, cars and bikes. God Bless.
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Isn't life short? Let's try to love each other and appreciate people that we touch and are touched by. Let's be glad that we can love. Let's try to make life easier to navigate. Thank you Ma'am!
Oh, I do remember him. Thank you for this.
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