Gary Rathgen passed away a few days ago. A friend from childhood. I had lost touch with him since high school but then there was Facebook, reconnecting people. I knew that he was having problems over the past year or so but was under the impression that he was doing better, getting stronger. Then two weeks ago he suddenly announced that he wasn't a candidate for chemo and that he was terminal. That was a bit of a shock. Then the other day, his daughter posted that he was in a coma and close to passing.
It all happened so quickly it seemed.
I think about when we were kids, school days, going through all the ordeals and rituals of childhood. Pretty much carefree. No comprehension that the time would ever arrive where we are much older and gradually fading away from life. We're watching our generation transition to what's next.
Then I hear that Jack Townsend, who I worked with nearly thirty years ago, lost a son a year ago and earlier this week, decided he couldn't deal with the pain any longer and took his life. And then, while searching through the obituaries, I see Jon Yunker's name listed. Jon was part of the Sunday evening basketball get together of friends that I took part in for many years.
Speechless now …… Three people in one week. Who's next? I'm lighting a candle tonight.
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