Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The loss of a friend

Sorry I haven't been posting but my home computer has been down and I just don't have it in me to 'text' in my posts. Not that good.

Last week I lost a friend. He wasn't a close friend but he was some one from my past who was a part of my circle. He, like me, was 39 years old. He died of a heart attack. Natural causes. I'm not ready for the 'natural cause' deaths to start occurring.
I was one of the drama kids in high school. Hung out with the skate rats. Went to the 'cool' clubs. Have seen more than my fair share of shows in small, dim, dank rooms whose floors felt like they were going to collapse under the weight and movement of the mosh pit. (Hang in there, I have a point) It was a crowd that tended to attract people with more than a few issues. Obviously we weren't all self-hurting manic depressives but you could be assured that at least 1/3 of the people in the room had snuck their mom's sleeping pills out of the house at least once or knew what a single razor blade felt like as it slid across your skin.
I am as prepared as one can be to lose friends to suicide, accidental drug overdoses, stupid sex acts... But natural causes? I've lost friends to idiot drunk drivers, illness, eating disorders... But natural causes? My Grandparents died of 'natural causes'. OLD people die in their sleep of 'natural causes'. We're not old yet...
Of course, I'm probably old to the high school and college kids that I work with. Heck, even some of my 'mom' friends probably don't consider me a spring chicken... Just remember that age can catch up with you before you know it.
Life is full of surprises. Hug some one. Compliment a stranger. Forgive a past transgression or at least let it go. Don't forget to say 'I love you' or even 'I like you'. It's the little things that help knock down any opportunity for regrets.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate you.


8 comments:

Matthew Dropco said...

I feel, sometimes, the little things I do. Notice a haircut, a new dress or shoes, or truly thanking from the bottom of my heart might go unnoticed, but sometimes, sometimes I get proof that it does mean something.
that said Cheryl. I knew from the day I met you, your heart was gold and you were meant to be on this earth. I'm glad I met you. I did think you were one of the "cool kids" lol.
-matthew dropco

Cheryl said...

Awww... Thanks Matt.

GrandmaP said...

Just a comment to tell you I love you and how very proud I am of the woman you've become :o).

livin wide said...

thanks for stopping by, cheryl.

i'm sending you hugs from houston. and i think you have the right attitude about this one - live wide because we don't know what we have left.
(but here's to hoping it's many, many, MANY years!)

Tory said...

Well said - and what pretty much all of us are thinking. I love ya Cheryl - I think there are people you meet in life that you grow to be fond of - and few that you just love from day 1 - who always bring a smile to your face, no matter what. Thanks for being the latter.

Cheryl said...

I really dig the 'living wide' concept. Your blog hit at just the right time!

Thanks Tory! Right back at ya.

Just Jess said...

I admire the way you've tackled your sad experience. Tragedy is wasted if it doesn't teach us to appreciate our lives and the people in them. I'm happy you shared, and I'm happy to have you in my life!

Killara girl said...

i'm sorry about your friend...you're right it's too young to be going on to the next place.