John David Meintel
4/20/63-5/4/13
John was my cousin, but the relationship we shared was so much more than that. I loved him like a brother and know our bond was as tight as any sibling connection could ever be. We were close for as far back as I can remember. For both sides of our families, the cousin count was small. We really only had the four of us-John, his sister, Pam, my sister, Terri and me. Anytime there was a time we could spend together, we often found a way to be together. The bond we shared was nurtured and tended by our amazing grandparents that always kept that connection alive. They were the ones that made the drive from Richmond to Seaford on almost every holiday, over summer vacation-anytime that we could find a way to be together. They loved John dearly. So much of who he was and the traits that shined in him, I believe, came from the example of goodness that he saw in them.
The things we did over all those years and the time we shared gave us so many opportunities to fill up the memory box. Many of these memories were just shared with you by my sister and it’s no surprise that many of these same memories stand out to me as well.
The many summer trips to Sandbridge were filled with fun and laughter. Playing Password was always on the agenda and I can still hear John saying…”and the password is…” John brought our family together on those trips. He was like the glue that held us together and helped us laugh and just have fun.
Another big event that we all looked forward to each year was our traditional visit to the "real" Santa-they call him the ‘Legendary Santa’ now, but back then, we knew you only found him at the downtown Miller and Rhoads. It was always a big outing. Grandma and grandpa would take all four of us and we’d start with the yearly cousin picture, followed by a very fancy dinner in the Tea Room that always concluded with a piece of the Rudolph cake that we were told was made with Rudolph’s own hooves. We have Santa pictures from the time John was barely walking up until the time that he had grown his first mustache. A lot of boys would have never done that, continuing to see Santa, but John knew how much it meant to Gram and that’s all that mattered.
Anyone that knew John, knew his love for music and music trivia. This goes way back. He loved to do his mix tapes, and play DJ and his love for all of that took on a life of its own and it went by the name Johnny Mein.
And I wonder, how many hours did we spend together at Busch Gardens?
My sister and I often fought over John and whose turn it was going to be to play with him. In the end though, I think I won because when I bought my first house here in Richmond almost 30 years ago, I asked John to move up here and be my roommate. He said yes and we had some really great times together.
Many of you know John was passionate about body building. This started during his early 20s when we were roommates. I never knew what I’d come home to John cooking, but I could pretty much expect it would have some egg whites in it. John ate well and was a maniac about keeping fit. He was the picture of health. Suffice it to say that my habits and the food on my shelf of the frig were not quite so good, but John never judged me or made me feel inferior. John judged no one. That was not his nature. You always knew you were okay in John’s presence.
He was the poster boy for tall, dark and handsome, well maybe mostly dark and handsome. I can’t even remember how many of our friends had crushes on John through the years, but all of this came with a big heart too.
It was during this time that John met Teri. John was not a big talker, but during the time we lived together, I learned to read him and I began to wonder where he was going every night after his shifts at Captain George’s and whose grass he was cutting on the weekends. I didn’t quite figure it out until one day when I came home from work on a lunch break and when I walked in my front door, I was shocked to see three children that I’d never met watching TV in my living room. John had been known for bringing home many a new pet, but this was the first time I’d encountered cute little kiddos! Shortly, I’d find out that these two adorable little girls, Krisstell and Katie and the handsome and polite young man, Nathan belonged to Teri. I loved Teri from the start and she and I became close. I was so happy for John and this new and beautiful family he had fallen in love with. In no time, they were married and were part of the family. Before long, we were excited to welcome Tara, Johnny and Jake and as we all know, the miracles continued to happen as John welcomed grandchild after grandchild into his heart.
John himself was a kid at heart. He never fully grew up or lost that wonder of being a child. No wonder all the kids adored him so.
John had a tremendous heart with so much love to share. I know he had tremendous love and pride for his family. Don't ever forget how much he loved you Teri, Nathan, Krisstel, Katie, Tara , Johnny and Jake.
John was slightly younger than me, having just turned 50 on April 20. No matter how you look at it, too young to die...too much living and loving and life unfinished. John just seemed like one of those people that would always be here.
Since Teri called me on Saturday morning, I have thought almost non-stop about John. I can still not wrap my mind around the reality and the finality of him being gone. I have stared at his pictures on Facebook and in my own albums, maybe somehow believing that if I looked long and hard enough, he’d be back. I have mourned for the loss of the things that his children and grandchildren will never experience with him. I have read and re-read all the posts from so many also feeling the disbelief and the shock of a loss such as this, but I have also read words that describe John and the wonderful and beautiful things of John’s legacy. Words like quiet, simple, unassuming, kind, strong, a faithful believer. One of my favorites was ‘gentle giant’. This probably describes John about as well as anything could.
Early Saturday morning, I had a thought of John just pop into my head out of nowhere. I thought back on his heart problems from several years ago and thought to myself how glad I was that he was still with us, not knowing at that time what had happened. I don’t believe this was a coincidence and I can't help but wonder if John was coming by on the way to his next adventure just to whisper and remind me we’ll always be connected. I've no doubt that our sweet gram, who loved him so much was waiting with open arms. And if I know John, he arrived holding roses for her.
John, what any of us wouldn't do to have one more day with you, to see that impish grin that would get you out of just about anything. You had so much love and kindness in your heart. We all love you so much and there will always be an empty space in our hearts for you. Just as these memories will never die or be erased, neither can the love John gave us, nor the love we have for him. These things shared with us will never die.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Rest in peace dear soul.
I will love you and miss you always. ❤
