Last August, I had the opportunity to make a little extra money by unpacking the home of this man that my realtor friend had sold a home to. He was old and rough and full of spunk. For some reason after 4 days of unpacking, my heart was somewhat tied to him. He had fought cancer over the last couple of years. He lost his wife last May. He was a go-getter and knows what he wants. He is an organized freak! It's like we're 2 peas in a pod! ;) When he mentioned that he used to pay someone every week to come in and clean his house- and asked if I knew anyone- I hesitated. I wasn't really interested in cleaning someone else's home. (I can barely keep my own clean. LOL) But I felt strongly that somehow he needed me.
So every Thursday, I would go to Richard's home and clean his little place. Or pretend to, at least. He was so tidy and had everything in perfect order. He left little folded up paper towels on almost every surface so he could wipe up anything he spilled. He had the same routine every time I went. The front door was open in anticipation of me coming. He always turned his bedspread and sheets down for me to change them. He was watching the Weather Channel or The Prize is Right. He played his handheld video games at the kitchen table while I cleaned. He would move to the back room when I had finished everywhere else. He always had my check written and waiting for me on the table when I left. He was a creature of habit, for sure!
He was also always doing some kind of remolding. He was fixing up that house so he could have it exactly like he wanted it. He would make me laugh because he'd say, "Who doesn't have storage in their bathrooms?" Then he'd put in huge mirrored Storage Vanities and shelves over the toilets and remodel parts to add more storage- then most of those cupboards would be empty anyways! LOL Silly guy! He had draperies made for all the windows. He carpeted most of the house. He ripped out his deck, added a sprinkling system, and redid the sidewalk to the garage. He put up some slats around his front porch and had them painted to break that area from the wind. He had the wiring tidy-ed up and heaters installed into both bathrooms so he wouldn't be cold. I always prepared myself to notice and praise him for what he accomplished that week. He was amazing!
About a month ago, I showed up to clean and the door was locked. That was NOT like Richard so I knocked a few times. I thought I could faintly hear him yelling at me. I was a little panicked. Brett reminded me that I had a strong feeling that one day he would need me. Maybe this was the day! I made several phone calls until I got a hold of his daughter. She said that he had been in the ER 2 nights before because he had fallen. She didn't want me to call 911 because she didn't want them to knock down the door. She said she'd come right over. After what seemed FOREVER, she showed up with a key. We found him flat on his back on the floor of his office. Sometime during the night, he had fallen out of his chair. It took us a long time to drag him to the wall so he could sit up. After a little rest, we then yanked him over to his desk so he could pull himself up while we pushed him from behind. (He's not a little man!) He had a couple scabs on his head from his last fall and he looked really swollen. He looked about 10 years older than he did the week before. It was super sad! He was really disoriented. He couldn't even walk without a walker. It was crazy how fragile he looked. When we finally got him situated, he turned to me and said- "Guess it's time for you to go now, huh?" I had been there my whole usual time. We had a good chuckle and I told him I'd see him next week. But- that was the last time I ever saw him. The following week- his daughter put him in a Nursing home and then 2 weeks later- he passed away.
It's strange because he is the 1st person that I've had die in my life that has affected my daily life. I've lost Grandpas and a Grandma- but it was when I wasn't born or married and moved away. I miss them but I only saw them on Holidays so it didn't really change the way I go about things. Does that make any sense? Richard was apart of my weekly routine for over a year. And now he's not. I'm not really devastated because he was sooo ready to not be alone anymore. In that way- I'm happy for him. But I do feel his absence. Life goes on- but it will now go on a little different. I find him in my thoughts often lately so thought I'd pay him a little tribute for being a part of my life.
In memory of
age 79 of Helena
February 1, 1936 – November 2, 2015
Richard B. Garlinghouse passed away peacefully early Monday morning at Rocky Mountain Care Center’s Rehab unit following a brief illness. He was born on February 1, 1936 to Bruce Garlinghouse and Ruth (Grush) Garlinghouse in Great Falls, Montana. He attended schools in Fairfield, Montana and Malta, Montana. He graduated from Malta High School in 1954 and began his career with Beueau of Reclamation in Glacier National Park. He married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor Green, on August 4, 1956 and to this union were born four children; Daryl June, Tammy Ruth, Bruce Robert and Janet Rose. After several years with the Bureau of Reclamation, he left to start working with the Federal Aviation Administration and retired after 38 years in 2006. Dad and Mom loved to travel and visit their children and grandchildren as often as they could.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Bruce; his sister, Jane and his loving wife, Eleanor. He is survived by his daughters, Daryl June (Duke) Carrier of Helena and their two children, Katherine (Charles) Fairbairn and baby, Emma of West Yellowstone, Montana and Adam Carrier and son, Kayden of Missoula, Montana; Tammy (Ray) Weart of Des Plaines, Illinois and her two sons, Ryan and Matthew of Wisconsin and Janet (John) Bacon of Kalispell and their son Robert (Tina) Bacon of Colombia Falls, Montana and their children Shyla, Braydon, Kailin and Alorha. He is also survived by his brother, Kent Garlinghouse and his wife, Donna of Alexandria, Minnesota.
Cremation has taken place and a private family memorial service will take place in the summer at Hungry Horse. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Richard.
A few of my favorite things about being in Richard's home (besides him) were:
This Eagle Stitchery he had hanging over his bed:
This Bank he made his wife out of an old mail door:
And the notes he would write sometimes to or about his wife. Man! He loved her!!! So glad they are back together!
I'll miss you Richard!!
