 |
| (Source) |
The guy next door, who was my age, and was a very good neighbor for the entire time we have lived here, died in the early hours of Friday. He'd been in the hospital for a couple of weeks, fighting hard, but in the end he was called home.
His parents survived the Holocaust, which made him, as far as I could see, a man of gentle strength. At any rate he was a good man and he will be missed.
His family watched our cats when we traveled, they have all been good neighbors to us. My heart goes out to them. By the time some of you have read this, or perhaps while you're reading, I'll be stopping by to pay my respects at his wake.
Time slips past almost faster than we can perceive. It seems like only yesterday that I took my uniform off for the last time, yet that was nearly a quarter-century ago (24 years to be precise). I have had many good times and experiences in those years, but I often wonder, "When did I grow so old?"
I'm feeling my age at the moment, but shall catch my second wind shortly.
Life batters you and assails you at times, all you can do is stand tall and not let your will fail.
But damn it, it's hard sometimes.
Ave atque vale, Jake. I'll see you on the other side.
I've got three years on you and it grinds us all down eventually. All you can do is stand firm for as long as possible, I can see the end from here but I am in no hurry to get there. I think of people and events in my past and suddenly realize just how much time has passed.
ReplyDeleteMind-boggling, innit?
DeleteBe of good spirit. A lot of good people a lot younger than us beat us to that finish post.
ReplyDeleteToo true.
DeleteYah, when someone you know passes, it can be a reality check, especially when comparing ages. The days slip by FAST eh? Everyone is a bonus day for me Sarge.
ReplyDeleteWay too fast.
DeleteMy deepest condolences to you and all who cared for your friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Glenn.
DeleteCondolences Sarge.
ReplyDeleteHaving a bit of the same reflections - one of my two best friends from High School just had a series of strokes. The fact he is my age is deeply jarring. Time does indeed move more quickly than we anticipate and even with that, it might end at any time. Sobering thoughts indeed.
There are days when it gets to you.
DeleteYes sir, watching the good ones leave before us... Lost an acquaintance 10 days ago. We'd worked together a little, and he was a decent guy. I'm behind you by a few years, but you never know when the ticket will get punched. Make hay while the sun shines, brother. I admire your devotion to your job and family. It's a good example to follow. Reminds me of "be all you can be". Prayers for his family and yours.
ReplyDeleteHe was a good man.
DeleteThis post really hit me in the feels. Sorry about Jake. I didn't even know him but I mourn him too.
ReplyDeleteThat was me by the way, I needed to log back in.
DeleteJust got back from the wake, the family is still in shock, still in that "I can't believe it" state. It's hard.
DeleteAh, I never log off so I'm not used to that. Getting used to it though, lots of folks doing that these days.
DeleteCondolences Sarge. As we age, the ranks get thinned. We will all be called home at a time unknown to us. Use the time we have in productive things, enjoy the people we love are the best things we can do.
ReplyDeleteBoat Guy
Pretty much all we can do. Thanks, BG.
DeleteBadger condolences on the loss of a good neighbor.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Scott.
Delete"I often wonder, "When did I grow so old?" "... One day at a time, it sneaks up on you. I remember when I thought 70 was "OLD", seems "old" is relative.
ReplyDeleteLife is short, do it now.
Old really is relative, it's still life and life is what you make of it. Copy your last, and absolutely agree.
DeleteSorry for your loss
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chris.
DeleteLiving in a 92 unit Senior (age 62+) apartment building, we lose one to two residents a month. I will have nine years on you next month. In the hall next to my door is a sign that says, "Don't count the days, make the days count", that I put up when I moved in. Still working, I hope to always be able to contribute more to the world than I consume. We can honor those who pass by remembering what they contributed instead of dwelling what we, the living, lost when they died, IMO.
ReplyDelete"Remember what they contributed ..."
DeleteYup, well put, WSF.
My condolences, to you (and yours) and his family. I'm typing that more and more, it seems. I have been deeply struck, surprisingly, by a celebrity's death several times recently, and it can take me a bit to remember our very faint connection in the theatre world. I'm not as spry at 76 as I used to be, I can tell, but I'm still waking up in the morning.
ReplyDeleteStill waking up, Aye!
DeleteIt's weird when people the same age or younger than you start passing from normal (natural) things. Almost as if you can hear the waves on the Styx lapping on the shore.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you can almost hear the boatman calling your name.
DeleteSorry for your loss, Sarge. It is hard when we experience the loss of good friends, gone, to their reward. The Scriptures tell us
ReplyDelete"…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." That's true.
I think I could still not crash the Phantom (80 knots, pull the stick back, hold 250, do an immelman out of traffic.) Probably best I had an IP in the back.
I've got 15 years on ya and at 85 I feel (more or less) good. The Lord has blessed me with time. He has something for me to do. The hard part is determining what exactly that is. I think it is making sure that folks around me know Jesus, the Christ. AND keep piling facts on all the Socialists around here. They squirm, I get a few more days!
What fun to live in these totally Biblical times!!
You are truly blessed, the Lord wouldn't keep you here if he didn't have a job for you. I count every day a blessing and thank my God for giving it to me, whether it's a good day or a bad day.
DeleteThanks, brother.
When this sort of thing happens to me people get to reread Dover Beach. Sorry to hear about your neighbor. I don't want anything to happen to mine since she also watches our cats when we're out of town and she is my sister. I just ran some mental numbers. I have a car now that is one third my age and was bought in 2001. I have a computer I still haul out from time to time since it has Word on it and it is older than that and still running Windows 95. I kind of laugh at things wearing out since it doesn't happen a lot to me. On the other hand I just read about a friend whose husband suffered one of those 'widowmaker' heart attacks but survived because he was smart enough to recognize that it wasn't a good time to lie down but rather to head to the ER.
ReplyDeleteBe well friend and keep on writing.
Roger that, Cap'n.
DeleteMy sympathies Sarge. Good neighbors are a treasure. Sending prayers for the family.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary.
Delete