Call your people no matter what

[poppy]

I lost a really old friend of mine this weekend, but he died last November. Known him since I was 17 and he was 19. I am already crying again writing this so I won't go into a lot of detail, but we lost touch after a stupid disagreement years ago. I left messages a few times with no reply, but the onus was on me to keep trying, I was the one who moved around a lot. I also knew his mother very well, just saw that she died in 2016. I wanted to reach out to her too but thought it wasn't my place to go around Jack and call her. I regret that so much now. Make peace however you can.

Jack was always in the back of my mind, but I didn't reach out during the lockdown - dumb - what else was I doing? Now that I was able to travel, and Iris passed, I was determined to see him even if I had to drive there and show up at his house. Looking for more phone numbers online I stumbled across his obituary. For some reason the song Fire & Rain - "But I always thought I would see you again" keeps playing in my head. "Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around". Never associated Sweet Baby James with Jack, but it was a 70's anthem album.

 

[mdiver]

Sorry for your loss <3

 

[GemInEye]

I'm sorry Poppy's.

 

[barnswallow]

Wishing you'd had the opportunity to reunite instead of this shock.

I have some relationships that could use repair. But, if one or the other party isn't ready, the door may not open. And, in my case, I may not be ready to do the work, or alternatively, maybe need to protect myself. Still, regrets are hard. I'll think on your advice.

 

[maplenpg]

I lost a really old friend of mine this weekend, but he died last November. Known him since I was 17 and he was 19. I am already crying again writing this so I won't go into a lot of detail, but we lost touch after a stupid disagreement years ago. I left messages a few times with no reply, but the onus was on me to keep trying, I was the one who moved around a lot. I also knew his mother very well, just saw that she died in 2016. I wanted to reach out to her too but thought it wasn't my place to go around Jack and call her. I regret that so much now. Make peace however you can.

Jack was always in the back of my mind, but I didn't reach out during the lockdown - dumb - what else was I doing? Now that I was able to travel, and Iris passed, I was determined to see him even if I had to drive there and show up at his house. Looking for more phone numbers online I stumbled across his obituary. For some reason the song Fire & Rain - "But I always thought I would see you again" keeps playing in my head. "Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around". Never associated Sweet Baby James with Jack, but it was a 70's anthem album.

Food for thought, I'm sorry that it ended this way for you.

 

[benni]

I am so sorry for your loss, poppy! It's hard losing someone we care about and only finding out after the fact, when we're trying to get in touch.

 

[poppy]

Wishing you'd had the opportunity to reunite instead of this shock.

I have some relationships that could use repair. But, if one or the other party isn't ready, the door may not open. And, in my case, I may not be ready to do the work, or alternatively, maybe need to protect myself. Still, regrets are hard. I'll think on your advice.

Don't know your age, but this is probably a cautionary tale for older people, I am 2 years older than Prince would be now. Many of the people in our little crowd were taken out by AIDS in the early/mid '80s, a few others died too soon. They were all extraordinary. Jack was one who made it to relative old age, 67. In hindsight, I suggest you evaluate at least every decade using the yardstick "Those kinds of cars don't pass you everyday". I think our society emphasizes on embracing "the new". It doesn't really work that way in the span of one lifetime.

 

[poppy]

I am so sorry for your loss, poppy! It's hard losing someone we care about and only finding out after the fact, when we're trying to get in touch.

Thank you and thanks to everyone. Without the support here, and from you too benni, I never would have started this thread. But I'm glad I did.

edit - I like your new avatar very much @benni

 

[benni]

Poppy, this was brought home to me in the last few days. We just never know when it is our time. And as such, I want to let you know, let everyone on here, know just how much I value each of you. Life is so fragile. And we should value it every single moment.

 

[poppy]

Poppy, this was brought home to me in the last few days. We just never know when it is our time. And as such, I want to let you know, let everyone on here, know just how much I value each of you. Life is so fragile. And we should value it every single moment.

Thank you so much, what a lovely thing to say, and so true. I appreciate everyone here too. Whoever thought of having a support forum is a genius. Here are some flowers for you.