Elijah Ezekiel Edmund Edison finally got his complete name finished on his Big Chief tablet the 3rd Quarter of his 2nd grade year. The kids made fun, he didn't care - he looked at life as a party, why get mad when laughter feels so much better?
Elijah dreamed of putting on a Major League uniform one day. Living two doors down from Tank Zernok, they played catch, hit flies to each other, and over the course of their childhood, played 'pepper' 11,487 times, but who's counting. Elijah's 'career' led him to be the quintessential JV player. His senior year in High School, he finally made the varsity, basically because Seniors couldn't play on the JV. He would only enter the game if his team was 10 runs up, or 10 runs down. Tank, however, led the conference in batting average, doubles, triples, stolen bases, and his home run total of 34 was the second best EVER in the entire State. Each, and every homer (double, triple, stolen base, yada) Tank would be met by the first in line to greet him, clean uniformed Elijah. You would think Elijah would have no finger prints or hand prints left after having high-fived Tank so many times.
The end of the season happened, a baseball banquet was held. Second place finish in State, pretty darn good. Nearing the end of the banquet, the Coach had a special announcement. "In addition to Tank being named, All Conference, All District, All State - I'm here to announce he's just been offered a contract by the Cincinnati Reds!" Elijah was the first to stand, the first to "WOO HOO!", and soon the entire crowd joined him. Tank, laid back, sem-shy, partially embarrassed by all the attention made a short speech. He thanked his parents, his teachers, his coaches, all the fans/students and finished with "I am here to tell you, I would not be here if it weren't for my best bud, Elijah!" More hooping and hollering, Elijah let out the very biggest smile he'd ever had, and that was pretty damn big because he was ALWAYS smiling.
Arnie, Elijah's coworker at the printing factory - became Elijah's 2nd 'BFF'. Daily, Elijah would swing by Arnie's house to pick him up for work. In 100 degree temps, pouring rain, slip sliding away ice, and even in tornadic threatening storms. (Blog writer's edit: They underlined 'tornadic' indicating it ain't a word... should be.) Arnie had medical issues through no fault of his own and missed many days early in his career. Elijah always picked up the slack and would call Arnie after to work to check on hm. Arnie, over the years, slowly arose through the ranks, lead, manager, VP, and ultimately President/Plant Manager of the entire company. Elijah kept the same position for years and years, but he did it better than anyone the company ever had. One day Arnie called him in his office, Elijah walked in the door, offered that smile of all smiles to his buddy - Arnie proceeded with "Elijah, I simply want to thank you. I wouldn't be here if it were not for your devotion, stability and friendship." A smile wider than Texas came upon Elijah's face.. "Oh thanks Arnie, but you'll never know how much fun you've given me with your friendship."
That was Elijah. Doing for others, but always wanting to remain in the back row, outta the limelight, yet lighting up the room with his smile.
Elijah would have that effect (or, blog writer always confused, wonders if that should be affect, "sorry Mrs. Pugh, HS English teacher.") for anyone who met, befriended him. He was friend, confidant to the cashier at QT, the guy who oiled the lanes at Stanley bowl, to his cousins, his siblings, folks, the neighbor kids, coworkers, teammates, yada. His take on life was bend, never break, and that included a persistent smile, no matter.
Later in life, Elijah would get sick. He battled for many a year. Arnie made it so he could work from home and he never missed a payday, had continuous health insurance.
Doc Henson called Tank one day, then Arnie, then Elijah's oldest brother. A turn for the worse. Devastation to them all. They all gathered and decided upon a special retirement party for Elijah. Phone calls were made to all the guys on the HS baseball team, all the employees at the plant, the QT lady, all his family members, the guy who oiled the lanes at the Stanley bowl, many.
They decided to keep it a secret. Thursday, at 4pm exactly, they all met in front of Elijah's house on 6th Street. Elijah's folks welcomed them in. Marching back to the Elijah's bedroom, once they got there, they noticed scads of pics on the walls, virtually each and every one in the crowd had their smiling mug on the wall. That was Elijah. It's about you, not me.
One by one they moved through the line to offer congrats. It was easy to see Elijah was dealing with some pretty severe pain, but each and every tear of those in line was met with that beautiful, everpresent smile of Elijah's.
Over the years, Elijah Ezekiel Edmund Edison had experienced bullying, laughter, making fun of his name, yada. He took it in stride, with smile. Their memories of Elijah rapidly ran through their brains while they all awaited the chance to congratulate Elijah. One by one came to the realization Elijah had taught them more than they could ever repay him for. His friendship, his loyalty, his jovialness was unmatched.
He loved them all. Equally, no matter if you were the starting shortstop for the Reds, the Plant manager, the cubicle mate, the QT lady, bowling alley dude, of course friends and family. "Four E" as he was known, and certainly teased about over the years, never regretted for once his folks adorning him with all those E's. (Ezekiel and Edmund were his grandfather's names, and he was Edison proud of that.) No one knew exactly how to end this party. It was pretty evident Elijah's party of life, was nearing an end.
Finally Tank stepped forward. He looked to his right, and to his left, and started to sing "Four E's a jolly good fellow, four E's a jolly good fellow." Trite? Not on your life, it was heartfelt. One by one they joined in. Tears were the order of singing the song. Not Elijah. A smile brighter than the lights at the McGregor HS Ballfield came across his face.
Of course, Elijah thanked each and every one. Of course it couldn't be about him, as always, it was about them.
Four E's a jolly good fellow. A pretty damn good life to live, example to follow.
Love, Victurd
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