Written by Sabine Demosthenes
Yesterday seemed to be a typical Monday. Anticipating my day in academic life, I started by reading my emails and preparing my posts for the week.
I went to my office and for a Blue Monday, I was in a pretty good mood, especially for a girl that doesn’t like Mondays for some childish reason.
Then, I heard my Twitter alert and grabbed my cell phone to see what is going on. The moment I saw that Bret Hart tweet, I felt like I was in a silent movie. My mouth was moving, but no sound was coming out. I gasped and suddenly, tears were slowly hitting my desk.
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart had passed away.
I stopped doing whatever I was doing for a good 5 minutes. My thoughts went to Ellie, Nattie, Muffy, Jenni and TJ. He was a heck of a father and family man. He would do anything for his girls. Then, I was thinking about Bret. His partner in crime and one of his closest friends was gone.
A family lost a husband, father, brother-in-law, uncle, brother and cousin. Friends have lost a loyal, funny, kind-hearted friend. Fans have lost an hero. It’s an inspiration to be who you are and to give your best in everything no matter what.
A month ago, we had filmed a little tribute to the Hart Foundation. It wasn’t a perfect video, but Donald and I were both so proud to recall our fondest memories of The Hitman and The Anvil. I remember saying that I was always mesmerized by Jim’s charisma. As a child, I called him my fun uncle Jim since I truly wanted to have a fun uncle like Jim.
I’m happy that Jade, her brothers, her sister and her cousins have the honor of having this one-of-a-kind gentle giant of an uncle like Jim.
In recent years, I realized that the most precious gift from someone who loved you, but is no longer with you, is the gift of sweet memories.
Photographs, videos, letters and foremost, the recollection of sweet stories and memories are truly the most valuable legacy they could have left us.
I dedicate this post to Ellie, Nattie, TJ, Stephanie, Jennifer, Jim’s grandkids, Bret and the entire Hart and Neidhart families. To Jim’s friends too and to all his fans.
To Jade Lambros-Hart, The Chronicle Family is sending big hugs.
With love,
The Chronicle Blog Family
