Ron Kent Galon (Let us not forget that community can be just around the corner, literally)
I feel like a hypocrite.
I am constantly speaking as well as writing about community, how technology has enabled us to expand our reach by finding, creating and staying in touch with people all over the world. My last blog post was about someone in Australia I had never met that taught all that followed her how to live while dying of cancer.
Yesterday I attended the memorial service of a neighbor, physically around the corner from my house that passed away last week from a lingering heart condition.
I saw Ron a lot driving through the neighborhood in his MGB-GT or his van with the SCUBA stickers on the back. I always waved and smiled as I did yardwork or hung out at the pool with the kids.
I read on the memorial program that he was a private person. For those who know me would not come close to thinking I am just as private. While my smiles are genuine I tend to keep to myself at home. It is even sort of a joke that my wife called me a “closet introvert” because overall I am a very engaging guy but do prefer my solitude.
With that said I wish I had gotten to know Ron Kent Galon more. Yes, he was older than me but I learned yesterday we both shared a passion for water, SCUBA diving, sport cars, reading history and jazz music. We had so much we could have discussed.
For some reason I think he knew the common interest we shared was solitude and our smiles and waves were enough. I do not think either of us could fake any of those gestures.
Technology is nice, Social Networking is nice and it has opened up so many different ways of meeting, sharing and experiences to most of us but not at the expense of the physical community that we can truly reach out and touch.
I am thankful that our path’s did cross because it has been another lesson learned that reminds me as I preach that “People” are the biggest component and while technology can enable, empower and extend nothing can over power the process from human connection and the genuine power of a wave and smile.
I will miss you Ron Kent Galon.
When I see you again I will surely sit down and chat.
My name is Ron Galon Jr. I’m touched by your beautifully written words about your encounters with my dad, Ron Galon. Thank you for posting those words here for all who are lucky enough to find them.
In today’s world, knowing a neighbor in the form of a wave or a smile is better than the all-too-common no wave and no smile which can found in many neighborhoods. A wave and a smile still equates to warmth and something existing in some form. No wave and no smile equates to the coldness of nothing existing.
Knowing a neighbor in the simple-yet-meaningful form of friendly gestures is better than nothing at all.
Thanks for being friendly to my dad. I’m sure he was thankful for all of those occasions just as you are. Knowing those friendly waves and smiles were good enough for both of you is all that matters. I’m glad you knew each other in ANY capacity.
Thanks for your comforting words Ron, you may not remember me but I introduced myself after the memorial service in Roswell.
It has been heavy on my mind but your comments certainly help.
Take care,
Michael
Michael, I do now recall meeting you among the many other great people from the Atlanta and surrounding areas. It was a pleasure to meet you.
Indeed Ron Senior’s passing has been on the minds of all of us these past few weeks. I love the fact that his life was turned into a celebration, instead of a time to morn. That made for a beautiful evening, appropriately enough on a Sunday.
When I return to the area, I’ll be sure to try to get in touch with you. It seems I share a love for being around water and sports cars with you. And who knows, I may get into scuba diving one day.
By the way, I guess, that makes three of us in that I like a little solitude from time to time as well. But your blog reminds us that since there are no guarantees on life, sometimes it’s better to take that extra step while we can. Thanks again.
Dear Ron Galon, Jr.
I am in shock to find out today that your father, Ron Galon, passed away in Feb. I am so so sorry. I met Ron on my first open water dive with AUE last June on a Freeport, Bahamas trip. I instantly took a liking to his easy-going affect and his ability to make me more at ease regarding different aspects of diving. And believe me, I was very apprehension.
My husband was killed in a car accident this past December. So I understand the importance of living each day with a zest, an urgency. Ron conveyed that to me in the little time I had with him on that dive trip. May your coming days get easier and wonderous joy come back into your life.
Michael,
I hope you don’t mind that I used your blog to convey my sympathy to Ron’s son.
Absolutely not Margaret, I am glad that you found it. Feel free to pass it along to others who knew Ron.