Returning

A very dear friend died last week, quite unexpectedly. He got the Swine Flu and five days later was in ICU, fighting for his life. Each hour brought worse news and last Monday his wife called at dawn to tell us he'd died a short time before. We were stunned. He was in good health, a busy man who worked full time, exercised, played golf and ate sensibly. He watched his weight, his alcohol intake, took his vitamins. You know, all the things that are supposed to lead to a long life.

His wife is reeling, and left to pick up the pieces of her life. The future she'd envisioned is gone and she says she feels empty. I ache for her. Friends and family flew in from all over and his funeral was a lovely testiment to the fine man that he was. I stayed for almost a week and tried everything I could do to help her find comfort, but it was all inadequate. I left her, pale and weeping, to get on a plane to come home to my healthy man and my busy life.

It hurts. Carpe diem.