Just when I've come to accept that when is older we have more of life's sucky moments thrust upon us, we were hit by a new wrinkle today. The one's that come as part of growing older are having people you grew up with die suddenly. Ditto the people you meet later in life and treasure. many of them are peers in age and as expected some die "all the time" it seems.
Karen started her preschool as a daytime child care in '85. We became friends with a couple of the parents and while not best friends at this point, we run into each other here and there and through other mutual friends. One of the boys in our very first class, now 30, died suddenly today. In the presence of both his Mom and dad. He got up from a chair and collapsed. EMT's arrived soon after the 911 call was made. 45 minuted later they gave up trying to save David. I can not imagine what the parents must feel. I try but I don't think I come close.
I'm so sorry, Don and Karen -- my condolences. For a child to die before a parent is so, so difficult!
:( carroll
Sorry, from Rick and Ellen. Your observation is keen. For the older you get via attrition the ones we know and love painfully turn to ones you knew and loved.