Blog

Another person I knew in my life has died. I was not close to him and it does not affect me as greatly as others, but still… it is a tragedy. A young man, only in his early 40’s with a wife and three kids… gone from this world… FOREVER!

If I am honest, the concept of being “gone” is too difficult for me to understand. I don’t really know how to comprehend it. IT is too big and my brain is too small. However, what I do understand in this situation is I will never get another chance to “connect” with this individual. I don’t mean calling him on the phone or sending him an email or text message… I mean seeing him in the hallway and talking about old sports injuries or complaining about how getting older is not so much fun or him helping me with a problem I was having or listening to me complain just because I needed to talk and let it out… I mean face-to-face, close enough to shake hands and pat each other on the shoulder when we said good-bye. I mean seeing if he was smiling or looked tired or was limping a bit because his knee was acting up. THIS is what I can understand. I know these things are never going to happen again… but, in reality, I don’t really understand. I can’t fathom. It does not make sense to me.

What does make sense to me is this. My friend, Jason, and I go to use the pool at the same time every day. Most days we have all the amenities all to ourselves. Jason does his thing and I do mine… and it is perfect. We always wave to each other as we enter the space and we definitely talk and share things, but that is basically the extent of it. We are “together” in the same space, but also “separate.” We love this!

This morning, as I was leaving the pool, I walked up to Jason and I told him how much I appreciate our time in this area, sharing it “together” but also being respectful of each other as individuals. I told him how much I look forward to coming to the pool and “sharing” it with him (Jason is the ONLY person with whom I LIKE to share the pool). Sometimes, if there are others, I won’t even go. Jason told me he feels the same way and told me his parents know all about me just because of this “shared experience.”

We talked for about 10 minutes and we shared how much we both appreciate each other and look forward to seeing each other every morning. We shared enough in those 10 minutes that as I was walking out the door to return to my apartment, I had a lump in my throat and I was trying desperately to keep tears from my eyes.

Jason and I have always had a “connection.” I liked him the very first time I met him. But this morning… we “connected.” We became friends on a much deeper level. I do not think there are many things in this life that are more valuable. Please “connect” with others. None of us have any idea how many more moments we have in this life. For me personally, to connect with another is possibly the best way I can spend any moments in this life. Thank you, Jason and please, please Rest In Peace D.E.