The Frailty of Life .... and Regrets

[74-911]

A couple, very close friends for well over 50 years, had known since childhood. Many excellent adventures sailing on the TX Gulf Coast, racing sailboats on Canyon Lake, potato cannon wars, many bottles of wine and countless laughs. Kind of lost touch for a couple of years, moving, grandkids, etc. you know the drill ... kept saying we need to get back in touch and renew our friendship and good times.

Received this e-mail Sunday morning at 5:38:

We came home yesterday and during the night Bear passed away.

"Bear", how he always referred to his wife.... she had some health problems the past couple of years but nothing deemed serious.

so now the regrets, why didn't we make that damn call ??

Just another of life's lessons learned the hard way... take heed.

[DanielDudley]

Jack, nothing you could have done would have changed what happened. Life is often pressing, and that quiet inner voice is often hard to hear. Do your best today, and try not to be too hard on yourself. Being there for the living is all we can do besides holding warm thoughts and remembering the love of those we have lost.

I am so sorry for your loss. It is never easy.

[Racerbvd]

Sorry for your Loss, don't beat yourself up, "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda" is not the way Bear would want you to be thinking right now (my old girlfriend calls me Bear too).
Sadly, I have been there (recently) and there is nothing we can do about it and he may not have wanted you to see him in ill health. As others have said, remember the good times..

[vash]

sorry for the loss.

but i dont think Bear would want you to regret anything..remember the good times. that's how i think everyone wants to be remembered..

[Bill Douglas]

Sounds like you have been a good friend to them over their lives. Pat yourself on the back for that and enriching their lives over that time too.

[wdfifteen]

Sorry for your loss. Regrets can eat at you. Please think of the good you've done and let them go.

[creaturecat]

my condolences for the loss of your friend.

fwiw, there is a saying that i often refer to, it sums up a very common theme:
too busy, too busy, too busy, too late.

[drcoastline]

Jack,

First sorry for your loss. But remember your friends could have reached out and made getting together happen just as easily as you. So It's not all your fault. But also life just gets in the way of life.

[KFC911]

So sorry for your loss Jack. Remember the good times and smile....Bear would appreciate that!

[74-911]

Really appreciate the responses gentlemen. I really posted this more to remind everyone that as we go through life there are friends that come and go but then there are those really special friends that are always there, that you have a history with, that perhaps know you better than you know yourself in ways... Hal and "Bear" were those special friends.

If you have lost touch with those friends, don't just say " we need to get back in touch" .... do it, tomorrow may be to late. take nothing for granted in this life.

[GH85Carrera]

Sorry for your loss. Just last week I went to the funeral of a friend's wife. I had known them for nearly 40 years.



It makes me think of this often. Only the very lucky get to spend another day on earth in a healthy and happy condition.

Remember the good times you shared with them and carry on and spread happiness to others.