A perfectly great human being (my age), from my high school, suffered a serious stroke this past week, and is in the process of (what appears to be) a long recovery. He is in Utah (I'm in CA), so even if I wanted to go see him, it would be pretty impossible just now. Not that his family would want me there. I have seen him twice (YES TWICE and ONLY TWICE), in the last 40 years since we graduated from high school, but I have followed his progress over time, and he has been a ridiculous success and role model.
When things like this happen, my first, instinctive reaction is "Wait a minute, he's too young", followed by the realization that he is just my age. The next reaction is rage and anger at the injustice and unfairness. Then usually I call my Doctor for a check up, and he (who is usually just a "physicians assistant", because Doctors are too busy to see me), tells me I'm fine and to get the hell out of the office. I know about what I am speaking...I lost one sister to colon cancer, another sister to Bipolar craziness, lost my Dad when he was only 64 (from a f*%$#ing stroke, by the way), and have seen my own brother in law in Kidney dialysis for years. Things like this should not happen to people my age, and if they do happen, why to someone like my friend Jay. It kind of makes one look to sky and flip the bird to a God who would let this happen. Which of course is one reason I do not subscribe to any particular religion.
So, my friends, as my other friend from Santa Rosa recently said, "
Please give your loved ones a little extra squeeze tonight."
That is what I plan to do. Jay, I love you like the brother I never had. Get well soon and get a bed that fits!
No comments:
Post a Comment