When I started this site, I did it because I was running for public office. With that being finished, I am now writing for myself, either to blow off steam sometimes or to express my feelings about life.
There will come a time in everyone's life when you will lose a loved one, be it a child, parent, spouse or dear friend. It's inevitable. Tonight I am writing about a life-long friend who has been given a terminal diagnosis. And the reason I am writing about him is twofold, one is to let him know how much he means to me and my life, how much he is loved by his family and friends, the other is to help others who are going through the same thing, mainly families facing death of a loved one. When we enter this life we are given no guarantees about how long we will be here. Some lives will be long, some only moments. I know that I too am entering that portion of my life when I live from day to day with no guaranty about tomorrow. But I refuse to let it limit my activities and enjoyment while I'm here. As to you, my friend, you were there when I was young and dumb and needed a shoulder to lean on. You pulled me through some hard times. We became brothers when you relied on me to help you through rough times. We didn't have that many, but when we did, we were there for each other. We had many good times, too many to count and mostly at my expense, because you usually got the best of me with your jokes and pranks. We rode our Harley's together and went on camping, hunting and fishing trips. We raised our children together and you accepted me into your family. And what a wonderful family. I have never met nor will I ever again meet another person who was as dedicated to his family as you are. I have never had another friend as true as you. Nor will I ever have another. I can honestly say to you, "I love you" as a friend and as a brother. I will be there until the end, but I refuse to have regrets about what we did or didn't do. We lived life to the fullest, keeping others on their toes at all times, and I will continue to do that the rest of my life. You will be well remembered, by many hundreds of people who's lives you have made better by being a part of them. To others who are facing the same circumstances, keep one thing in mind. You never question friendship, you live it. Friends will come and go in your life, but true friends are there no matter what, good times and bad. We all have an expiration date. Some know it, some don't. Personally, I would rather know it, but that's just me. The world will continue on as it always does, generation after generation. Celebrate the life you had with that person, laugh about the stupid things, tell stories about the things you did. Think of the ones who went before us, their lives memorialized in our stories, the love and laughter, in a moment of time. Any thing you haven't said or done, now is the time. Don't wish later on that that you had. My credo is to live your life to the fullest, because the only thing you're going leave is a memory. Make that memory the best memory that you possibly can! To all who read this and whoever it affects, I send love and hope that you can carry on! Dennis dennismoconnor.com Comments are closed.
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