My husband and I received very sad news over the week end about the passing of another good friend. \u00a0 Tom was in long-term recovery. \u00a0In fact, he had just celebrated 32 years of sobriety. \u00a0I last saw him a few weeks ago at our party for Joe’s 70th birthday. \u00a0Joe had seen him just 2 days before he apparently died. \u00a0No one really knows the details because Tom lived alone. He had not shown up at an AA meeting he regularly attended and a friend called to see if he was okay. Getting no answer, the friend did what we often do. \u00a0He drove over to Tom’s house. \u00a0With the assistance of a policeman, they forced their way in and found him.<\/p>\n
Just a few weeks previously Tom had had a stroke, not one that completely incapacitated him but it had required a lengthy stay at a nursing home and continuing speech therapy. \u00a0A couple small TIA’s had followed but we did all think his progress was steady. \u00a0Perhaps we were mistaken.<\/p>\n
The struggle for those of us who remain is varied, of course, but for most of us it’s three-fold: first and foremost, filling the emptiness in our hearts with sweet memories of the times we shared with Tom; second, making sure our own house is in order, ie.; are we harboring resentments that could be alleviated by amends, do we have debts that need to be paid, or necessary good-byes that need to be said. \u00a0And third, is our will in order? \u00a0In other words, are we saving our survivors the angst of trying to sort out that which we are leaving behind?<\/p>\n
As I sit here writing this, I’m relieved to say I am prepared as far as the personal and business aspects of my life are concerned. \u00a0And thankfully, I feel no fear about death. \u00a0Tonight, at least. \u00a0I expect it to be an exciting adventure, one that’s beyond my capacity to imagine, actually. \u00a0One I anticipate with a modicum of joy, in fact.<\/p>\n
Tonight we were with friends, and we spoke about Tom. \u00a0A common theme was to wonder what “the other side” was really like. \u00a0Do we acquire all the knowledge that had escaped our knowing “on this side?” And was Tom “aware” in his own way of our queries about his journey, the same one we all will make one day. \u00a0I’m thinking yes. \u00a0But does it matter? \u00a0Not really.<\/p>\n
I simply know that I am living a good life now, one that I hope is benefitting others too. \u00a0Additionally, I hope that when I join Tom, friends will choose to fill their hearts with fond memories of our times together. \u00a0We are here for such a short time. \u00a0Living these years well, as did Tom, is a prayer that remains on my lips.<\/p>\n
Are you satisfied with how you are living? \u00a0Now? \u00a0It’s not too late to make a correction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My husband and I received very sad news over the week end about the passing of another good friend. \u00a0 Tom was in long-term recovery. \u00a0In fact, he had just celebrated 32 years of sobriety. \u00a0I last saw him a few weeks ago at our party for Joe’s 70th birthday. \u00a0Joe had seen him just […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[8,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-karens-musings","category-what-i-believe-you-and-your-higher-power"],"yoast_head":"\n