This afternoon I went to the Celebration of Life memorial for a friend/colleague
of my husband's.
It was the most amazing, life affirming, event of its kind that I've ever attended.
This man was my age--63--when he died after fighting esophageal cancer for three years.
He was an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) and my husband (a psychiatrist)
and he worked together before the State of North Carolina started dismantling county
mental health clinics some years ago.
But he was way more than his professional occupation (what do you do?). He was a musician.
Years ago, he bought a farm (late 70's) and he and his wife built a place where musicians could
come to rehearse, perform, record, and also a place where writers (his wife is a Methodist minister
and writer) could gather to work.
He was the most amazing person. After he retired, he taught writing classes to prisoners. And
VA patients. He was always bringing people together.
For 20 years he donated platelets to the Red Cross. He recruited people to have 'birthday parties'
where they'd come together to donate platelets. And if you know the process, you know
that's no small contribution.
I told my husband on the way out to the event that his death really affirms to me that there is no justice
in the order of things. How can someone like Cheney--a war criminal--responsible for the deaths of millions
of people still be alive, and a good person like our friend be dead at 63? Where is the justice in that?
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'm sorry for your loss.
Life is certainly not fair, as you are aware. I know it well.
There is no justice when evil walks and good people die before their time.
I hope his good works will be remembered and will inspire others to carry on the way he did.
yes, that does indeed take some dedication!
Sounds like he was a really good guy. 