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12/05/2003 Entry: "moved to a new front stoop"

First snow of the season falling across the city, covering everything with a cold layer of wet whiteness. It slowed me down in my usual morning rush, with the added chores of clearing the sidewalk and brushing off the car. I was out long enough for a neighbor to notice and cross the street to share some news. "I don't know if you heard yet," she said, "but Mister Junior passed last night."

Junior seemed to be a permanent fixture on the block, always sitting on his front steps, or moving across the street to catch the sun or shade depending on the weather. Retired, with a heart condition and diabetes, he didn't have a lot of physical energy but there wasn't a thing he missed otherwise. He knew all the neighborhood news without being a gossip and wasn't above sharing a quiet word or two of street wisdom. The neighborhood kids were always glad to run up to the corner store and get a cold drink for him in the summertime, and Junior always seemed to have a spare buck or two to reward their trip with a cold drink of their own.

He cared about the block and about his neighbors. He'd look for the best in each situation but had enough sense and experience with the world to know there are some nasty characters out there. He'd occasionally drift off into a little nap on a warm spring day but his eyes were open and watching.

He was good enough to pose for a portrait for one of my class assignments, and he wasn't shy about how he wanted the finished print to look.

I'll miss you, Junior.

Posted by Marion @ 12/11/2003 07:01 AM ET

I remember your first piece on him! Very nice memory, John.

Posted by dan @ 12/08/2003 03:07 AM ET

Wonderful tribute to Junior.

Posted by Shirl @ 12/05/2003 07:01 PM ET