Today started like any other day of reprieve. I wake up, scratch an orange cat’s ears as he sleeps at my bedside, turn my tablet on and read the many goings on in the world. Then I get my headphones out and listen to one of my fave podcasts while making myself the last of many fine breakfasts that I make when I’m not going anywhere, (til the next weekend anyway). Prepared my work belongings for tomorrow, make the ol’ shopping list among other things. Then I heard this afternoon that a good friend of the family passed away.
He was one of the first people we met when we moved down to Oregon waaaaaaay back in the 90’s. I don’t know the full specifics, other than they let him out of the hospital saying he was fine, and that he had family by his side when he went. Memories have been flooding in and out of my head all day, a few decades worth. Memories of fireworks, BBQ’s, interesting stories he’d tell. We had LAN parties when he visited and played all kinds of games like Quake III, TF2, L4D2…. He almost always brought jerky or sausage with him, and held no qualms about sharing his recipes with us when he visited. He will be greatly missed, and never forgotten.
This wasn’t the note I wanted to end my vacation on, and I’m sure these intruding memories will probably appear when I’m at work tomorrow. But then again there never really is a good time for loved ones to go… is there?
I’m sorry for your loss, sounds like he was a hell of a guy.
What really pisses me off about this was that he was let go when he flat out told them he wasn’t feeling well. They told him everything would be fine, and he didn’t make it 12 hours for the opposite to happen. Such is a world where money matters more than health.
Damn, that really is heartbreaking. Makes it even worse when it seemed so avoidable. I hope that you and your family are doing well.