:(
We attended services for a friend who died last Friday. He was younger than me by 6 years. He had not been ill, ate healthy, was active, ran nearly every day, was never ill, went to the doctor for an annual checkup. The police found him in his car, behind the wheel, engine running, still warm, but not breathing.
Autopsy showed a completely plugged artery.
Massive heart attack. They believe he had completed his run, got back to the car to go home.
He's the second friend who was the picture of health who passed suddenly. The other was a few years back. Dropped dead due to a ruptured artery near the heart (forget the medical term). He was on one of his daily 5 mile runs. He was only 40.
I must be on borrowed time. Hope it's not a sub prime loan. :o
That's sad... But a reality check to us at the same time. We should be constantly aware of how trivial this passing life really is in the big picture...
:(
Having buried many people before their time I realize that life can be short. Diseases can manifest into longer reaching problems resulting in death. Children do die before their parents.
Live each day like it is your last. Be thankful that you can swing your feet to the floor in the morning.
Last but not least. Don't let the horse ride you. Ride the horse.
Mike
:( I'm sorry, Don.
I recently lost a long time friend to cancer. Lived a clean healthy active life. I think he was 49.
Diet and exercise should keep the artery's clearer but even if your doctor tells you your in good shape and you feel great The unseen may wind up killing you as it did with your friend. I had a scan done That show plaque in my arteries. Mine came back showing 15% in the area of the heart. My doc said it was good. It didn't sound good but I guess bad would be If it was a lot more blockage.
Sorry to here of your loss
Several years ago I lost a best friend at 60 yo. Shouldn't have happened but he got leukemia from something at Vandenberg AFB they said - Solvents or something. Yup - not fair. Sorry to see it happen.
Our condolences to you and your friends family.
Every moment in life is precious . . .
My condolences as well Don.
i've only been here a short time, but already, i feel a part of this little online family
i'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend
know that i'll remember you in my prayers tonight
i take some comfort in believing death is but a door to a new life
tesa
Last night we had a Scottish Wake of sorts to celebrate Art's life. :D Probably about 30 - 40 people came through. Even the mayor stopped by. :-\ His girl friend had put together a slide show of Art in different places, at different ages and stages of his life. She had it running in a continuous loop in a room off to the side. It was sad and wonderful. :) :( There was lots of food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, talk, story telling, music and dancing. Art would have loved it.
Rest in peace Art.
Sorry to hear of your loss Don. Good friends are hard to come by. When they leave for no good reason it just makes no sense. I had a good friend that was younger than me. He was a farmer and the county surveyor. He was in good health and was extremely physically fit. Surveying in the mountain state is extremely physical work as the flat land is few and far between. He was found sitting at his dads house in his chair. His dad had just passed away 8 months before. Autopsy reveiled a Massive Corinary.
I've been watching this thread because I just not sure what to say Don. I am sorry to hear about your friend. I've felt much the same as you for several years now. I don;t understand why one person is taken and another is not.
While I don't think there is a hard and fast outline for ones life, I do think there is a current that gives you general direction. As I was always taught, the hereafter is really so much better, passing on is the reward for a good life.
I'll leave that for wiser people than myself!
Thanks Peter. I remembered you were in the same boat, so to speak. It's especially jolting when they are 5-6 years younger than yourself. Makes you wonder who the next might be; yourself? I've got too many things I want to do, but then so did Art. I guess we all just have to wait and see. It's a reminder to enjoy each day and never forget to take a moment to tell those we love, that we do. Tomorrow might be too late. Take care all.