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I have tried to concentrate on writing about something else other than this. Just a few days ago, I had a long list of possible topics. But, life throws curve balls. On Sunday evening, we got one of those calls. They are usually rather blunt. There’s no gentle way to lead into some news. This occasion was no exception. The sound of the phone interrupted a quiet, peaceful evening and the news was delivered. “B____ was killed this afternoon.”
There you are cruising along in your little life bubble—content that tomorrow will be pretty much like today, and boom! All those questions are back again. First, you want to question the report. Surely, there is a mistake. Why this person? It couldn’t possibly have been his time. Why one of those truly good guys we never have enough of in our lives? B____ was cheerful, gentle, honest, reliable, generous, and just a joy to be around. He had only recently retired to finally take a deep breath, kick back, and enjoy his life after all those decades of working hard.
There you are cruising along in your little life bubble—content that tomorrow will be pretty much like today, and boom! All those questions are back again. First, you want to question the report. Surely, there is a mistake. Why this person? It couldn’t possibly have been his time. Why one of those truly good guys we never have enough of in our lives? B____ was cheerful, gentle, honest, reliable, generous, and just a joy to be around. He had only recently retired to finally take a deep breath, kick back, and enjoy his life after all those decades of working hard.
I suppose it is some comfort that apparently he avoided a long painful death, and he was doing what he loved to do for relaxation. He was out for a ride on a crisp fall day. B____ was riding a horse he took out periodically because no one else ever rode the gelding and B____ felt sorry for the animal cooped up in that stall all the time. The horse returned safely to the stable, but he came home alone.
There are a lot of heavy hearts and innumerable fond memories of B____'s kindness and good humor. His many friends will miss him. May his family find strength and comfort .
It's hard to know what to say. B. sounds like he was a wonderful man! Just that little example of taking care of the gelding because he felt for the animal. What a sweet person.
ReplyDeleteWe never know, do we? We somehow believe that we will always have tomorrow, but we just don't know.
I am truly sorry to hear about this. My thoughts are with you, Anita.
My deepest sympathies for the loss of your friend. We've all heard similar stories about people finally reaching retirement, only to have their lives suddenly cut short. It just doesn't seem fair.
ReplyDeleteOne small correction: Life doesn't throw us curve balls. Life is a curve ball.
Paul - Thank you for your kind thoughts and for the wisdom. We can make ourselves crazy trying to make sense of events, can't we?
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to hear from you. If I weren't such a dunce, I would have registered at your site long ago (I check every week to see what's on your mind), and I would be leaving comments there. In the last few weeks, you have posted a number of thoughtful entries that have stuck with me. I am grateful that you are posting.
Best wishes Anita to you and your friends and family. Take care.
ReplyDeletePaul L - How could I have missed your message earlier?! Today has been full of little mysteries.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts. You are so right. This was a man who was always, always there to do favors for others, to take care of animals, and to do the right thing.
The husband was closer to him than I, but I always enjoyed being around him and knew that he was one of the good guys. We are sorry to lose a friend.
Beau - Thank you for the good wishes. It's a reminder to all of us, isn't it, to take care of one another and to take nothing for granted.
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about this Anita. It sounds like he was doing something he loved.
ReplyDeleteMark - He was—and something he had done ever since he was a boy. It's a reminder that terrible accidents happen even to the "experts". Still, since we are all going to come to the end one day, why not while doing something we love?
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