Mike M
I first met Arnold on a picnic with my family in the late 1980s back when I was just a little boy. My brother had befriended Darryl and we decided to go on a picnic in Matheson Hammock one weekend. We had a nice day, it was quite uneventful except for that we had such a good time with the Tackoor family and our wild, but welcoming environment.
I remember what Arnold said when he accepted the bottle of wine that my father gave him.
"Good wine is meant to be shared with good company." He then proceeded to open the bottle and serve it to all.
Perhaps it was not what he said, but how he said it. His enunciation, his emotion and his grace were admirable to a young boy like myself.
As the years went on, our friendship with the Tackoor family flourished. When grandchildren came, so did the unbreakable friendship between our families.
Arnold, I have known you as a wise, patient man. A man who never took anything for granted, and that loved his family and taught them to love others. I counter that little piece of wisdom that you shared with me on that day... that is: Not only does one need good wine, but also good friends to make that wine so much sweeter.
In our case, your children, your grandchildren, your wisdom and our unbreakable friendship is what has made our bottle of wine so much sweeter. Thank you Arnold. Arnold, keep a lookout for a bright star as you arrive in heaven. I've asked my wife to keep an eye out for you. You'll have a lot to talk about I'm sure.
Rest in peace dear Arnold.