“They saw their injured country's woe;
The flaming town, the wasted field;
Then rushed to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear, - but left the shield.”
―Philip Freneau
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And by a prudent flight and cunning save A life which valour could not, from the grave. A better buckler I can soon regain, But who can get another life again?
Archilochus
My regret was the "rush" of it. He had called just as my son and DIL were arriving, and I had to cut our conversation short. Now I wish that I had talked much longer. :(
So YOUNG! I'm sorry. It seems a tragedy when anyone under the age of seventy-five dies. Not to reach sixty these days seems almost obscene.
I take it this was a complete surprise, or had he been nursing a heart condition, which sometimes appears very early? My father suffered a severe paralytic stroke at the age of forty-four. He recovered against all odds, and retuned to work, but he was never the same again. He died at the age of sixty-nine.
The doctors never expected him to reach age forty-five.
Really sorry you've lost a good friend. At my age it happens more frequently, but at least it doesn't seem so unjust. After all, our mortal bodies are not built to last. Even the remarkable Concert Pianist and Holocaust Survivor, Alice Herz Sommers, now 110, and still very much alive and in her own in London will have to check out one of these days. She's not afraid, and says "It's natural."
He had recently, back in November, suffered a minor heart attack. He had also previously suffered a stroke, and was undergoing kidney dialysis... a hereditary condition, I suspect.
We lived next to each other in San Jose, CA from 1962-1982. We hunted, fished, skiid and SCUBA dove together, graduating from the same high school. I went on to the USMMA, he stayed in California and graduated from California Maritime Academy. He then sailed for ARCO and BP as an Engineer for 20 years... and I moved to the East Coast.
In a very real way, anyone we've loved or learned from will stay alive in our memory, and there will be many times, I assure you, when that person's unique way of looking art the world, unique sense of humor, and uniquely endearing traits will occur to you, as events unfold and incidents arise, and it will feel just as though that person is still with you, and the two of you are still sharing life together.
At least that has been true for me. I hope it proves so for you. There isn death, there is only change.
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13 comments:
My condolences, FJ.
Thanks. He was my best friend, growing up. He had a heart attack right after the holidays... I had last spoken to him Christmas morning. :(
My condolences, fj.
Thanks. :)
I'm glad you got to talk on Christmas.
My regret was the "rush" of it. He had called just as my son and DIL were arriving, and I had to cut our conversation short. Now I wish that I had talked much longer. :(
I think I'll do a "tribute" page.
So YOUNG! I'm sorry. It seems a tragedy when anyone under the age of seventy-five dies. Not to reach sixty these days seems almost obscene.
I take it this was a complete surprise, or had he been nursing a heart condition, which sometimes appears very early? My father suffered a severe paralytic stroke at the age of forty-four. He recovered against all odds, and retuned to work, but he was never the same again. He died at the age of sixty-nine.
The doctors never expected him to reach age forty-five.
Really sorry you've lost a good friend. At my age it happens more frequently, but at least it doesn't seem so unjust. After all, our mortal bodies are not built to last. Even the remarkable Concert Pianist and Holocaust Survivor, Alice Herz Sommers, now 110, and still very much alive and in her own in London will have to check out one of these days. She's not afraid, and says "It's natural."
Anyway, you have my sympathy.
Thanks, FT.
He had recently, back in November, suffered a minor heart attack. He had also previously suffered a stroke, and was undergoing kidney dialysis... a hereditary condition, I suspect.
We lived next to each other in San Jose, CA from 1962-1982. We hunted, fished, skiid and SCUBA dove together, graduating from the same high school. I went on to the USMMA, he stayed in California and graduated from California Maritime Academy. He then sailed for ARCO and BP as an Engineer for 20 years... and I moved to the East Coast.
You guys had a unique and lasting friendship, and that's rare. We should all be so blessed with good memories.
From the photos you posted, it looks like you guys could have fun anywhere, anytime!
Thanks, Jen. He will certainly be missed.
In a very real way, anyone we've loved or learned from will stay alive in our memory, and there will be many times, I assure you, when that person's unique way of looking art the world, unique sense of humor, and uniquely endearing traits will occur to you, as events unfold and incidents arise, and it will feel just as though that person is still with you, and the two of you are still sharing life together.
At least that has been true for me. I hope it proves so for you. There isn death, there is only change.
...always "becoming". There is no "rest" in "being" until death finally arrives. :(
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