Paul Aloysius REEN

Barbara,
I don't think I have ever been as sad as when I heard of Paul's passing. My sadness wasn't for me - I had things that I still needed to say to him, I think he knew them anyway - or sad for him - he is really just ahead of us on the journey now. I was sad mostly for you and all the family because I know what a wonderful and special man he was, how much you all loved him and that the pain of his loss could never really be eased.
There are maybe ten men that I have ever met that I count as "good" men by every standard or code of what it is to be a man. Of that ten, there are only two men that I have ever wanted to be like - he was one of them.
The first time I ever met him - we sat down and drank a beer marathon then belly-laughed for hours - watching Vic Boyle have a go at Super-Knockout in padded samurai suits at the RSL - until he was so late home for dinner that he was asking me if I had any blankets for him to sleep in his car. I didnt carry blankets around back then.
Ha ! Like a naughty kid with a plan and a glint in his eye he went staggering off home with Vic and Im sure he still got his dinner somehow too. I think Vic was driving - that is a scary thought - and I remember thinking I would have to learn some of his tricks. I was impressed.
Weeks later I figured that I was onto him, that the reason he grew roses near the front door was just to give to you when he was late or in trouble - but gradually realised over time that he grew them just to give to you when he told you that he loved you. It softened my heart when I realised the true depth of his love for you - and I started to see, then, the man that he really was.
The memories I manage to hold onto of him will probably still bring a smile if I ever do make 79. I have always been a big fan of the poem "If" by Kipling, and I think if Kipling had known Paul he would have had to add a stanza or two.
He was for a long time like a second father to me. I knew and loved him well, and I will miss him. To see him again you just need to look at your children. He is still here in a way, in all of them.
David Arman