Sunday, December 5, 2021
A tribute to my Bernhardt…
I have countless memories with Bernie as my neighbor. I called him, Bernhardt, my neighborhood dad. Words cannot express how much I miss him, but I will try to honor him with these memories.
What I loved most about Bernie is that he noticed things and did something about them. For example, he noticed my overgrown lawn as a newly divorced mother, so he mowed it (and not just one time). He noticed car problems whether my babysitter’s broken sideview mirror or a missing part on my new used car and fixed them. He noticed brush piles in my driveway and magically made them disappear before I could argue that I will get to it. These are only a few examples of what Bernie noticed and took care of himself without anyone asking him to do it. He never took credit for any of these things. For him, it was no big deal. To me, it meant so much! I hope to be more like him – to notice problems and just help the person in need.
My Bernhardt was my supervisor. If I was out fixing my car, doing home projects, or just anything that required a tool, he was there with advice and tools. Countless times, he would run home on his scooter to get the right tool, because I never had the right tools. I already miss my supervisor guiding me along my way.
Riding his scooter, Bernie, with his dogs in tow, were a fixture in our neighborhood. He made our neighborhood a better place to live. Everyone knew him! Our neighborhood has lost a legend. He was always pleasant (albeit sometimes stubborn), always offering advice, and always had his dogs with him. The countless miles he put on his scooter walking his dogs for the umpteenth time each and everyday put a smile on my face every time I saw him.
Over the years, I have cherished memories with him, talking about history, spiritual things, and his cherished family and dogs. One of my favorite memories from this past year was sitting in his garage watching and listening to the rain. We didn’t have a deep philosophical discussion; we were just together. I will miss that the most, being together.
Bernhardt, I miss you more than these mere words can express! Thank you for being a part of my life and my children’s lives. You have blessed us in so many ways. Thank you for being an example of how to love others. I will honor you by trying to be more like you!
I love and miss you,
your neighborhood adopted daughter Courtney
