. . . is a part of life

A Part of Life

Going to the Dentist was the highlight of my day this past Monday. Says a little something about the day, doesnít it?

Early in the day I received a call from my cousin telling me his brother-in-law had died. It happened Friday, in Boston, while he was at a trade show. Run over by a semi-truck, crushed. Thankfully, we think, dead instantly. I was very fond of this man. At family functions we always sat together, discussed the Yankees, New York sports, and our businesses, which were very similar, and in a common industry.

For many years there was an annual holiday party at his house, and this was a great bash, lots of fun, oodles of presents for the kids, and always a good time. He had just been in my thoughts on Thursday of last week. I was remembering something very nice heíd done for me some years ago. Odd, I thought, to learn of his death occurring the very day after Iíd thought of him.

This news cast a pall on my day.

Thereís an entire ìback storyî that goes with the news. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that his wife had been hit by a cab some years ago, and has been going through rehab and recovery for many years. He stuck by her and was very committed to her well-being, her comfort, her recovery. Sheís made great strides over the years. This is a man who seemed headed for a very rosy retirement. Sold his business, was secure, his kids were grown and out on their own. Life (Fate?) dealt him a dirty blow, but he rolled with the punches. Went with the flow. A good man, a nice guy. Hit by a truck and dead.

Later that morning while at my desk, I got a reminder call from the Dentistís office, for the afternoon appointment. Good that they did this, as I had completely forgotten it. I actually looked forward to getting out, feeling that going there might get my mind off of things for a bit.

The phone rang just as I was preparing to leave the desk and go to the Dentist. It was the wife of a close friend. ìHow are you,î I asked. ìNot so good,î she said, ìJosh died yesterday.î

She gave me the information: where the funeral would be, what time. Iíd known he was ill, and also knew that he was a fighter extraordinaire. If anyone could fight illness it was Josh. He took illness as a personal affront, and battled it with every intention of winning, and handily so.

This did more than cast a pall on my day. This news saddened me more than I can describe. In a few days I will post an appreciation of Josh. This was a special person. My eyes are watering as I type this. I need a day or two to collect my thoughts, and then post something in his honor.

Eerily, I had also had Josh in my thoughts a day or so ago. He had been very helpful when I moved in here. Some work needed to be done on some things heíd installed, and my son and I took care of this on Saturday. Iíd reminded my son about Josh and some times at his house and some places weíd all gone together, times weíd shared. I thought about calling him Saturday, but the moment passed and I made a mental note to drop him an e-mail or call him in a day or two.

He died the next day.

Two calls, two deaths, both happening the day after Iíd had these men in my thoughts. I told this to the Dentist, who said to me, ìPlease donít think about me.î That moment of levity may qualify as the high point of the day.

ìDeath is a part of Lifeî goes the adage. True, yet not easy to deal with when death makes its presence known. The Angel of Death [1] visits and thatís that. The Grim Reaper [2] has an agenda, and there are no further discussions or negotiations.

Death is big business [3]. Death is all over television these days (Six Feet Under [4], Dead Like Me [5]).

Death is the end of life, the continuation of only the spirit.

And death seems to have been following people in my thoughts of late. Sure, just a coincidence, but an upsetting one, to say the least.

Makes me think that things can only improve, once this pall subsides.