Jen and Jon are my third cousins once removed through our moms, and while that seems far away, our respective sets of parents made us feel part of one big family. We were lucky enough to grow up four blocks away. There were family vacations and we were always at each others parties. My parents moved out of Miami and I never moved back after college, so I lost touch with Larry, but he played a big part in my childhood. A few memories that I would like to share for those who didn't know him then:
- I would be up early on a Saturday going somewhere with my parents, and I would see Larry, Jen and Jonathan riding their bikes on their way back from McDonalds having breakfast. I was always jealous because my parents never let us have McDonalds for breakfast. :)
- One time my sister and I were home alone at night, and this was pre-cell phones. We heard a noise and house alarm went off. I grabbed the phone and called the Zacke house. Larry answered told me to to go into a bathroom with my sister and lock the door, and he would be right over. We stayed there in the bathroom until we saw the flashlight shine through the window and someone banged on it (we screamed), and he said, "No! It's Larry!" Both of us were so relieved! I let him in and he stayed with us until our parents came home from wherever they were that night.
- Our parents would have Friday night pizza and drinks on our patio or theirs. We could always hear them talking and laughing outside while we were inside playing video games or watching TV.
- I've always liked interior design. The bathroom attached to Jen's bedroom had a very 80's design to it. Somehow Jen and I ended up at Home Depot for something in high school, and I convinced her that it would be easy to change out the vanity in that bathroom to something newer. I think we even ended up buying the vanity and bringing it home. Poor Larry had to spend a weekend putting it in. I felt so bad! I thought it was one of those things you just plop on the floor, but the previous vanity was attached to the wall, the tile didn't go all the way under it, etc etc. It ended up being a way bigger project. I don't know if he ever gave Jen a hard time about it or not, but he never made me feel bad for convincing her to do it!
Larry was such a great dad, and I'm grateful that there was another pair of adults in my life that I could go to for help if I needed it without question.
I wish I could be with you in person to celebrate his life. It looks like you all made some great memories and had amazing experiences together since I left Miami!
Love,
Lindsay Keegan (Strong)