Inspiring others

Though he’s now 70, Jimmy still gets around on his bike, riding across town to Belhaven’s waterfront.

That’s how David Friedrich met Jimmy for the first time. A recreational boater who stopped in Belhaven during a voyage along the Atlantic Coast, Friedrich’s first encounter with Jimmy occurred during an especially difficult time in Friedrich’s life — the recent death of his son, killed in the war in Iraq.

Friedrich said when they met Jimmy was slowly towing a red wagon carrying a large model of a tug boat pushing a barge. “His bike was nice and shiny, the wagon had impressive pneumatic tires and the thick, six-foot model had been accurately constructed by this fine craftsman who just happened to be lacking a portion of the left side of his face and head,” recalled Friedrich. “He came up on the porch and sat in the chair to my right. I glanced up and said, ‘Hi. How ya doing?’ He replied by starting to hum a song. He hummed for ten more minutes or so, then moseyed over to his bike and gently left.”

The impact on Friedrich was tremendous. He went on to write about it in a log he kept during the voyage.

“I am reminded many times of the fellow I met in Belhaven, North Carolina,” wrote Friedrich. “He suffered a tremendous event which made the left side of his face look like something had scooped out about half of it. But he had somehow recreated his life, which involved building beautiful models of boats and parading them around his little, friendly and accepting town.”

Friedrich moved to Belhaven in 2007. His relationship with Jimmy continues to play an important role in grieving and healing.

“Like Jimmy, a tremendous event scooped out a large chunk of my spirit and soul,” said Friedrich. “Jimmy is part of what inspired me to move to Belhaven. Moving here has been a part of my effort to recover from the loss of my son and recreate my life. Jimmy inspires me through his actions. Every day, he demonstrates a valuable life lesson — to have something to do and to get busy doing it.”