|
And sometimes you get both which is kind of like winning the lottery.
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
|
I knew a man named Charles. I didn't know him well. Whenever our friends, Chris and Laurie, would have parties Charles was always there. He was kind, soft spoken, and loved music. He gave music lessons, and I can remember him sitting down at the piano and playing "Rhapsody in Blue" one night after telling him how much I loved Gershwin.
When I first met him we were all just kids. Chris and Laurie weren't even married yet. He was a groomsman at their wedding and even composed a trumpet piece for them. Of all the people we didn't know well at parties, Charles was always the one I most felt comfortable sitting down and talking with. Bill recognized him being interviewed on the news a few months back after witnessing a robbery.
And that was the last time we saw Charles.
This morning as Bill was checking a rarely used email account he found an old email from Chris telling us that Charles had been killed in an auto accident on November 12th. Naturally at first this made me very sad. Even though we hadn't seen Charles in several years, Bill and I always had a special place in our hearts for him.
I was also reminded of how short our time here really is no matter how it ends. I never dreamed as I spoke with Charles several years ago that he would die young and in a most tragic way; never knew when I was 16 years old traveling cross country with my older sister that she would be gone before she was 60, about 20 years after my Dad had died from the same illness.
When you're young you don't think about things like that. As you grow older it seems you are reminded of them all the time. I'm sure you all have your own stories to tell, but the thing to learn from it is this: Never forget to tell your friends how much you appreciate their friendship. Always tell your family how much you love them. When looking at your own life and the challenges you face remember to live like there is no tomorrow - because there may not be.
One more thought before I go: Sometimes when you don't even know it you touch people. Sometimes they are people you know. Other times they aren't. Make sure they remember you the way you would want them to remember you.
When I first met him we were all just kids. Chris and Laurie weren't even married yet. He was a groomsman at their wedding and even composed a trumpet piece for them. Of all the people we didn't know well at parties, Charles was always the one I most felt comfortable sitting down and talking with. Bill recognized him being interviewed on the news a few months back after witnessing a robbery.
And that was the last time we saw Charles.
This morning as Bill was checking a rarely used email account he found an old email from Chris telling us that Charles had been killed in an auto accident on November 12th. Naturally at first this made me very sad. Even though we hadn't seen Charles in several years, Bill and I always had a special place in our hearts for him.
I was also reminded of how short our time here really is no matter how it ends. I never dreamed as I spoke with Charles several years ago that he would die young and in a most tragic way; never knew when I was 16 years old traveling cross country with my older sister that she would be gone before she was 60, about 20 years after my Dad had died from the same illness.
When you're young you don't think about things like that. As you grow older it seems you are reminded of them all the time. I'm sure you all have your own stories to tell, but the thing to learn from it is this: Never forget to tell your friends how much you appreciate their friendship. Always tell your family how much you love them. When looking at your own life and the challenges you face remember to live like there is no tomorrow - because there may not be.
One more thought before I go: Sometimes when you don't even know it you touch people. Sometimes they are people you know. Other times they aren't. Make sure they remember you the way you would want them to remember you.
|
Photo by my friend Vicky, circa 2002)It's time for holiday movies starting with my favorite Thanksgiving flick, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" featuring my friend Kelly's Dad, Bill Erwin. I have a feeling I'll be seeing him again before the season is over. Hmm....
|
I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Photo via here
|
“Don't be dismayed at good-byes.
A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.
And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes,
is certain for those who are friends.”
A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.
And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes,
is certain for those who are friends.”
-Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Photo by me on the Venice Beach pier
This is the post I’ve dreaded writing for two weeks now. As you read this I’ll be dropping my cousin off at the airport. It’s been so nice to have her here. It seems like our time together went by so fast, and I’m going to miss her. We always find fun things to do together, and it was so great to have some company. It’s going to be quiet and lonely again during the day – just me and Willie again until Bill gets home from work.
|
And breakfast…And lunch!
My cousin will be arriving on Saturday and spending the next two weeks with me! We've been pretty much inseparable since I was 9 and she was 12 (and, no, I am not going to tell you how many years that's been). We've been together through births and deaths, health and illness, triumphs and losses and still haven't managed to piss the other one off. :-) Unless you've been married to someone for 40 years you just don't know what that means. (Oops!)
We are going to have martinis by the pool
Go for walks
And take a lot of pictures
Can you tell I’m happy?
My cousin will be arriving on Saturday and spending the next two weeks with me! We've been pretty much inseparable since I was 9 and she was 12 (and, no, I am not going to tell you how many years that's been). We've been together through births and deaths, health and illness, triumphs and losses and still haven't managed to piss the other one off. :-) Unless you've been married to someone for 40 years you just don't know what that means. (Oops!)
We are going to have martinis by the pool
Go for walks
And take a lot of pictures
Can you tell I’m happy?
|
We’ve been hearing a lot about infectious diseases lately, but there are some infections you don’t need to be afraid of. Like smiles. And kindness. And happiness. If you could use a good dose of Happy (and really, who can't?) then please check out my friend Cathi’s blog. It’s a wonderful way to start your day with a smile.
Everyday Adventures Of A Curious Gal
Photo via Flickr
|
...chance to see old friends...
...opportunity to hear good music...
...oceanfront view.
...opportunity to hear good music...
...oceanfront view.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
