A little after 6pm this Friday, 09/07/01, one of my best friends lost his paternal grandfather. Only a few short weeks ago they learned of serious invasive cancer in nearly every major organ. It was a rapid onset. Fortunately there was enough time for my friend to travel from Washington to Montana and be with his grandfather, and his family during the last weeks. Living a couple of states removed since his fathers passing during his adolesence, my friend had not spent as much time with his fathers family as he would have liked. It is a tremendous thing to know that he had this last precious time to say what needed saying.
I only met Rob's grandfather once, but I knew him at once to be a strong man, and a good person. He remained jovial and caring after losing his own son (Rob's father) much too early in a tragic accident. He exhibited generosity, compassion, humor, love, and valor...surely the finest traits we as a race possess.
He passed peacefully, as he had lived. He was surrounded by his friends and family. He lived a full and complete life. Though I did not know him well, I know his grandson, who is the living continuance of those who gave him life. In that way I bear him much respect, and am honored to have been touched by his time here with us. I wish him good journey in whatever may come after, and I offer my condolences to those he left behind.
***
I know most of you are not impacted by this event, although many may feel sympathy from shared experiences. I chose to share this passing for two reasons.
First, to honor my friends grandfather, and thereby him.
Second, and perhaps more important, to beg you to communicate your feelings to all those people in your life whom you would weep for should you suddenly wake to find them gone. Perhaps we will meet our loved ones again in the hereafter, and perhaps we will not. But whatever the truth of our immortality, our time here is short, and indefinate. Don't let it slip away without sharing your appreciation for the unconditional love of those we're closest to during our lives.
I only met Rob's grandfather once, but I knew him at once to be a strong man, and a good person. He remained jovial and caring after losing his own son (Rob's father) much too early in a tragic accident. He exhibited generosity, compassion, humor, love, and valor...surely the finest traits we as a race possess.
He passed peacefully, as he had lived. He was surrounded by his friends and family. He lived a full and complete life. Though I did not know him well, I know his grandson, who is the living continuance of those who gave him life. In that way I bear him much respect, and am honored to have been touched by his time here with us. I wish him good journey in whatever may come after, and I offer my condolences to those he left behind.
***
I know most of you are not impacted by this event, although many may feel sympathy from shared experiences. I chose to share this passing for two reasons.
First, to honor my friends grandfather, and thereby him.
Second, and perhaps more important, to beg you to communicate your feelings to all those people in your life whom you would weep for should you suddenly wake to find them gone. Perhaps we will meet our loved ones again in the hereafter, and perhaps we will not. But whatever the truth of our immortality, our time here is short, and indefinate. Don't let it slip away without sharing your appreciation for the unconditional love of those we're closest to during our lives.
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