Tuffie is truly an angel now

**Troy** · 08-09-2004, 06:55 PM

Men don't cry.
(Robert "Tuffie" Lindsey)

I wish everyone could know,just how I feel.
But to share my emotions,thats one thing I wont reveal.
And even though it hurts,to keep it all inside.
When I was a boy,I was taught that men dont cry.
Yes a man, has to stand,and be very strong,
Even when he feels, he just cant go on.
It seems to me,there must be something very wrong.
But for me to cry,I'd rather let my feelings die.
Cause when I was a boy,I was taught that men dont cry

I was thinking to myself the other day,
how I'd like to get down on my knees and pray.
While I guess I'll put it off until another day.
I was told by my dad,that if I were to kneel,
funny feelings I might feel,and men just dont cry.
Yes a man, has to stand,and be very strong.
Even when he feels he just cant go on.
It seems to me, there must be something very wrong.
But for me to cry,I'd rather let my feelings die.
Cause when I was a boy,I was taught that men dont cry.

R.I.P. Pal.

**whitewolf359** · 08-09-2004, 07:24 PM

A year allready? Seems just like we were talking to each other yesterday. R.I.P. my friend.

**Spezi** · 08-10-2004, 01:06 AM

Still missing ya Tuff. R.I.P. my friend.

**phicks** · 08-10-2004, 07:35 AM

I still miss you very much too Tuff

**Tuffies Son** · 08-10-2004, 11:52 AM

I thought I'd share some of yesterday's moments with you.

Late yesterday afternoon, I paid a visit to Dad's final resting place, as I often do. I planned that on the anniversary of losing my beloved Father, I had to try to shift the focus of my visit from solemn morning, to quiet reflection and remembrance. I was at least partially successful.

I had also spoken to Bits about the ironies surrounding the date, and the mix of feelings we all have had, trying to pay respects, trying to comfort our friend , Bits, in a time of deep personal sadness, and trying to allow room for Happy Birthday wishes, in spite of our heavy hearts.

I told Bits of my plans to release another "Happy Birthday" baloon, in honor of their everlasting friendship. Bits made some special requests of things I might say to Dad, on his behalf. I certainly did as Bits had requested, and also took the liberty of saying some words for all of his tight group of close friends here, and all of his friends, in general, no matter where they may be.

My time there, was clearly only a precious few seconds, but the foolish clock in our car was obviously keeping track of a different sort of time, as it's estimate was nearly three hours. Before I left, I released the balloon, with the tiny card attached reading; "Happy Birthday Bits" on the upper half, and a dividing line with the words "I love You Daddy" on the lower half. On the back, I listed two email addies, and a plea, that if found, to please email the location to the addies. I sealed the entire little card, with the intent to preserve the addies, is spite of inclement weather.

As I was leaving, an inner voice said that the baloon will be coming in to the UK, directly over the Isle of Wight, and heading on a course, due directly toward London. Flopps may wish to keep an eye out for incoming baloons from the southerly direction.
It went up and headed directly toward the open Atlantic. I watched with straining eyes until the faintest trace had faded from view. I spoke once again to Dad, and headed for home.

When I had first arrived at the cemetary, the day was fully bright and beautiful, much as the pix from last year's birthday baloon for Dad, only without the turning leaves of October. Just before I left, the skies began to fill with distant clouds of all colors and sorts. Once on the interstate headed for home, exactly in the direction of home, I could see a most unusual rainbow in the distance. As I got closer it became larger and more brilliant as I went.

This rainbow, however, was most unusual, not only for it's brightness and size, but also for the fact that it seemed to be landing on my house. What's more, it was not the classic rainbow, with the full arc in view, but, rather it appeared to go straight into the sky, and nowhere could I see the other end.

As I drove along, I determined that I must make my best effort to get to my camera, and drove as fast as was reasonable. For the final mile home, the twisting and turning roads and the tall trees made me lose sight of the brilliant rainbow, but I hurried along just the same. When I finally arrived home, my heighbor was standing on a high spot on her lawn, and looking in the direction of the rainbow. I got right out, and asked if she was looking at a rainbow. Yes, she said, I have been staring at it for some time now. It was incredible. Did you see it too? I said I was hurrying home hoping to get a picture of it. You'd better hurry, she said, because it is growing shorter rapidly.

I literally ran from our lower driveway, straight to my camera, loaded the card and batteries, as I rushed to where she had been standing, only to see the last of it fade to a sky, the same hue as the background of this post. I missed my picture, but you will have to take my word that it was one of the most unusual and magnificent rainbows I've ever seen.

Make of this what you will, but I take it as Dad's reply.

I felt compelled to share this with you all, and hope it conjures-up some special feelings and thoughts, for all of you. I do so wish I had been able to get my picture, but I guess it is a reminder that we are not in total control over what will be.

Best Wishes To You All, My Friends, Tuffies Son

**phicks** · 08-10-2004, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by Tuffies Son

Make of this what you will, but I take it as Dad's reply.

I think it was too

**floppybootstomp** · 08-10-2004, 11:58 AM

TS: Touching, poignant and if I may say so, a little spooky, but in a nice way.

I'll be looking out for balloons

**Tuffies Son** · 08-10-2004, 12:21 PM

Flopps it will look like this:

**Tuffies Son** · 08-10-2004, 12:44 PM

If the sizing didn't work for anyone, just PM me and I'll send a different copy.

**ImaginAsian** · 08-11-2004, 07:25 PM

your dad has never left us TS, he remains a fixture here in the forums and is forever an honarary moderator

his legacy lives through you!

**Tuffies Son** · 08-12-2004, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by Digital Junkie
your dad has never left us TS, he remains a fixture here in the forums and is forever an honarary moderator

his legacy lives through you!

That's very nice of you to say DJ. It is true that I would like to carry on for Dad. It is important to me, to do the best I can in that regard. I constantly run across little snippets of input into threads I'd never seen before. Things like that always give me a good feeling, from seeing the evolution of the Forum, and the parts Dad played in it.

We have a tight and stalwart group here. We have every reason to be proud of what we do, who we are, and the first-rate site we call home. We will keep on keepin' on, and we won't ever regret it.

Thanks Again, Bro Keep on spinnin'

Cheers, TS

**Furton** · 08-14-2004, 11:19 AM

Has it been that long already? TS, just remember the good times you had with him, I'm sure we all are at this moment, there were plenty of them.

**Tuffies Son** · 10-11-2004, 10:09 AM

Happy Birthday Daddy. I miss you more than words can tell.

**yomama** · 03-02-2005, 05:44 AM

Dear Tuff,
I dreamed about that time when we laughed our arses off! I know you are wanting to fix all of us. But, you having been here makes us think...miss you guy!
Sharon

**Tuffies Son** · 04-07-2005, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by whipat
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.
adapted from - ancient gaelic runes

And to you as well, dear friend. Please give Dad a hug for me, and know that I will think of you often, remember you always, and miss you deeply. Sincerely, Bob Jr.

**easy-e** · 04-07-2005, 07:40 AM

Man, what lovely touching sentiments. I have a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.

**[ GK ]** · 08-10-2005, 12:33 PM

Doesn't seem possible, but yesterday (Aug. 9th) makes two years since we lost Tuffie. Still missin' ya, my friend.

**Troy** · 08-10-2005, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by General_K
Doesn't seem possible, but yesterday (Aug. 9th) makes two years since we lost Tuffie. Still missin' ya, my friend.

Likewise.

He will always live in my memory.

**Ccarro63** · 08-11-2005, 09:45 AM

We all miss you Tuffie...

...although you live on, so strongly, through or hearts and prayers.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tuffies Son also, as this can be a tough time for all family as well. TS, what you've done in your fathers memory has been very honorable and I'm sure Tuffie is all smiles as he watches down on you.

--Ccarro63

**Night Rider** · 08-11-2005, 09:57 AM

Yup.

Hope ya ripping it up a good un up there Tuff.

Miss ya.

**Tuffies Son** · 08-12-2005, 05:04 AM

Thanks guys.

I sure do miss him. CC, thanks for the nice words, I'm proud and thankful to be able to crunch on for Dad and all the others. Thanks BBF

**Tuffies Son** · 10-12-2005, 05:21 AM

**Tuffies Son** · 08-09-2006, 06:59 PM

sorry about the quality of this old pic
...Dad & his Gibson Hummingbird from 1979

**Grogan** · 08-09-2006, 07:07 PM

Thanks Bob, nice pic from the good old days.

**Tuffies Son** · 08-09-2006, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Grogan

Thanks Bob, nice pic from the good old days.

You're more than welcome buddy.

...really missing my Dad tonight, anyone got any personal experiences with Dad that they'd be willing to share?

**EvoDude** · 08-09-2006, 07:15 PM

I wasn't around here in the old days TS but I know how you're feeling. Cancer took Dad on 6th December 1984 and I still miss him.

**Tuffies Son** · 08-09-2006, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by EvoDude

I wasn't around here in the old days TS but I know how you're feeling. Cancer took Dad on 6th December 1984 and I still miss him.

keeps us close in some ways, yes? nobody knows better than us how to hate the dreaded cancer, and proudly attack it in the name of those who've gone, and also those who've beat the monster.

**EvoDude** · 08-09-2006, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Tuffies Son

keeps us close in some ways, yes? nobody knows better than us how to hate the dreaded cancer, and proudly attack it in the name of those who've gone, and also those who've beat the monster.

You got it spot on there TS. The more we do to fight it the less it can take our loved ones from us.

**Troy** · 08-09-2006, 08:12 PM

I got to talk to Tuff once,on the phone.
He asked for my phone number,and I worried I wouldnt be able to hold up my end of the conversation.
Didnt take me long to realize I had nothing to worry about.

Tuff held up both ends, and was so easy to talk with.
Although I aint a phone kind of guy,that one call I will always cherish and never forget.

**Tuffies Son** · 08-09-2006, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Troy

I got to talk to Tuff once,on the phone.
He asked for my phone number,and I worried I wouldnt be able to hold up my end of the conversation.
Didnt take me long to realize I had nothing to worry about.

Tuff held up both ends, and was so easy to talk with.
Although I aint a phone kind of guy,that one call I will always cherish and never forget.

Cool...Thanks Troy

**~Jan~** · 08-09-2006, 08:32 PM

I think I told you my story here before but maybe not and if so I'll tell it again because it meant a lot to me.

I am sure it's nothing like what some of the peeps have here that could tell you that knew Tuff so well but it was still very special to me. I remember talking to DoctorMidnight one evening on the phone, can't really recall why but he was also talking to Tuff on the other line and I remember telling DM to tell Tuff hello for me. That next evening I got my first PM from Tuffie just because we exchanged a hello between DM. *grins*

He had written to me and said he was pleased to have gotten to say hello and that somehow he felt we knew each other although we had never exchanged a PM with each other. He just really made me feel special TS, it was all in what he said to me in that one PM. How he introduced himself and welcomed me to the forum and to send a PM to him anytime. *smiles*

I think that your Dad really had that in him, that he was always there to make someone's day a good one, and always brought a smile.

How great is that, to me that's what it's all about.

**Tuffies Son** · 08-09-2006, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Kiwi2022

I think I told you my story here before but maybe not and if so I'll tell it again because it meant a lot to me.

I am sure it's nothing like what some of the peeps have here that could tell you that knew Tuff so well but it was still very special to me. I remember talking to DoctorMidnight one evening on the phone, can't really recall why but he was also talking to Tuff on the other line and I remember telling DM to tell Tuff hello for me. That next evening I got my first PM from Tuffie just because we exchanged a hello between DM. *grins*

He had written to me and said he was pleased to have gotten to say hello and that somehow he felt we knew each other although we had never exchanged a PM with each other. He just really made me feel special TS, it was all in what he said to me in that one PM. How he introduced himself and welcomed me to the forum and to send a PM to him anytime. *smiles*

I think that your Dad really had that in him, that he was always there to make someone's day a good one, and always brought a smile.

How great is that, to me that's what it's all about.

Thanks St.Louis Sweets

...nice one

**mlangdn** · 08-09-2006, 09:14 PM

Thanks for the pic TS. I wish I had a great story. I know he was a big help to me when I first came to BBF. Always had a way with just a few words to bring laughter along.

**[ GK ]** · 08-10-2006, 10:42 AM

Hi TS,

Sorry I wasn't here yesterday, my friend. It doesn't seem possible that three years have gone by already.

I also was fortunate enough to speak to your dad on the telephone. He called to cheer me up while I was in the hospital three years ago, while dealing with cancer myself.

Knowing now the pain your dad must have suffered, it gives me great respect for how he always treated others. In the time we spent chatting, he never focused on his own illness. In his typical selfless way, his only concern at the time was to see to it that he made me laugh, which he did many times.

I recall a post made by DoctorMidnight over at PCQ&A after your dad's passing, saying that it was great to see all his friends from there and here coming together to remember him. Tuffie had a lot of friends, and I consider myself very fortunate to have been one of them.

We miss you, Tuffie!

**Ccarro63** · 08-15-2006, 03:47 PM

My memories of Tuff will always be slightly further in the past. While growing up my family spent every Christmas Eve at his house and celebrated as if it were Christmas morning. But, there was always something magical about the entire night. The overall experiance was simply astonishing and unforgetable. You see, if my siblings and I begged and pleaded, we would get the greatest Christmas present of all, the most unforgetable memory of Tuff playing and singing Christmas songs while gently strumming his guitar.
A wonderful sound. A sound that still impacts me everyday. A sound I try my hardest to duplicate each time I pick up my guitar, on Christmas Eve, and play the same songs for my children.

You are well missed Tuffie

**Adywebb** · 08-18-2006, 04:19 AM

Hi TS,

I didn't have the pleasure of getting to know your Dad - but from all the love and admiration I see around these forums whenever his name is mentioned I can see what a wonderful man he was.

I wish I had been around when he was to get know him myself

**Tuffies Son** · 08-18-2006, 10:32 AM

Thanks Ady, I wish you could have known him too.

**Tuffies Son** · 08-09-2010, 06:29 PM

Seven years gone but Never forgotten.

**Troy** · 08-09-2010, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Tuffies Son

Seven years gone but Never forgotten.

You got that right, TS.
Your dad will always be in my sig for the kindness and joy he brought me and others.
I feel as if he took me under his wing when I arrived here at BBF. He was the most friendliest, and humorous stranger I have ever met.
The memories he gave us will last until we no longer exist.
Where ever you may be Tuff ,this ones to you bud.

**BitBender** · 08-09-2010, 09:01 PM

wow - seven years today - He has the company of one of my favorite and eldest cannines, departed this day, August 9th, 2010 at 14 years young. She was a sweet a soul as Tuff was. I hope she is there comforting him.

I was just missing Tuff the other day as I read some old threads.