Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Buz Hodges was remarkably encouraging and kind friend. He valued the North East Multi-Regional Training Instructors Library while it existed, personally recognized my work in planning and running it, and he even liked Old Time Radio (as I do). But he also accomplished one thing that no one else ever has: He gave me the best present I’ve ever received. What made the gift so great was that I had not realized how much I wanted it until after he gave it to me.
Back in the days of the NEMRT Library, Buz would stop in every so often to pick up or drop off training videos and books. One Christmas, though, he came in with a bundle all wrapped up in newspaper, and tied with string. He was a little disappointed until I remembered another package, that had been wrapped in newspaper and tied with string, that a dying man had planted on the desk of Sam Spade. Inside the bundle was The Black Bird. He had found a plaster replica, cast from the same mold, of the Maltese Falcon that had appeared in that film. It was a tremendous surprise, a generous and valuable gift, and, when I realized what it was, I knew it was exactly what I had wanted, even though I had never given any thought to the statue before.
That “Stuff Dreams Are Made Of” is sitting by my desk now, where I can see it, and remember Buz. He will be greatly missed, but fondly remembered. The influence of kindness he has left will continue blessing people for years to come.
