Trubute to A Friend

Peers Remember ‘Allen”

‘There are some who bring a light so bright to the world, that even after they have gone, the light remains.” "unknown Author" 

It is with great sadness that we share the loss of one of our Peer members. Allen . He passed away August 2, 2012.Allen 48 years young, and he will be greatly missed. Our Allen: he loved anything tied dyed, He loved the Beatles, the Grateful Dead, The Allman brothers, the Braves, his guitar, his car, his drums, his family, and his peers and his peers loved him.. He liked to fish, eat steak, make us laugh and share stories that had lessons. Allen was making great strides in his personal efforts  to  take better care of himself. A diabetic, he was a great cook and had  learned  to manage that very well and  helped to teach other peers how to manage theirs. Kidney and liver complications  were not ones he could overcome.

 Allen was that forever friend, and  we  will forever miss him.

Lessons and Inspiration Allen gave us:

Allen was a bright light in our Peer Community. Allen joined us 2 years ago. He quickly engaged with the group, taking a leadership role in getting our first garden planned. He often led discussions. He was a bright smile, a friend to all. Allen gave personal time to some of his peers , helping them in ways….well that simply made those people better people, as well as getting  support that produced positive  results for all.  Allen volunteered  to represent the Peer Program at a Regional Meeting along with his friend James, sharing  what  we  were  doing  in our  program, promoting  physicals, healthy  eating  with our  cookbook, starting  fitness programs ect. He was awesome! He shined and was excited about all the new integrated wellness we were  doing and learning. He helped communicate to all the programs  in the state  what our Peer program has  been all about..Allen represented himself , his peers and our Peer Program with Pride...
We were and will always proud of him.

He introduced to our Peer group what we now call ‘ The A.B.Drumroll”.  
Allen  said  that he  got  tired  of  the clapping  every time  someone deserved being  recognized… He said it was too ‘expected” so he introduced’ The A.B. Drumroll”..tapping hard  on  table  making a  drum roll sound…all aboard. Peers loved it ,  and have  used  it ever since. We will be hanging a drawing by one of the Peers (Thank-you Mikey B!!) of a drum and drum sticks in his memory.
 We will miss him, but I know that he will forever rock in all of our hearts! (he would love that.)

Rest in Peace Allen B! We will miss your presence.……… Muah!