Sad Memorial Day

Yesterday we learned that a dear friend had died. No warning. He is just gone. He was a 38 yr old dad of 2 who loved his family and his work. He was our banker and our friend.

He was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, an Interstitial Lung Disease, a few years ago and was nearing the time of needing a lung transplant. He never smoked or worked in a place that would do lung damage. He didn't talk about it. He thought everyone else was more interesting than himself. And now he is gone.

Apparently he went into the hospital a week ago, his family flew in from Turkey and he passed Friday.

This has hit me particularly hard. My Mom has an Interstitial Lung Disease. When Tom told him about Mom, he replied, "That is what I have, you know..." and shook his head. I have held onto the fact that he looked so well and functioned normally. Clung to it, in fact. If he could do so well..... well, Mom should weather it just fine, too. And today we memorialized him and I know that Mom is not invulnerable.

His wife clung to each and every person who came to honor his life. We were all his friends. The room was overflowing with friends and family, young and old, all mourning the loss of a wonderful man who died too soon.

It is a sad day in Heron-land.

Rest well my friend.

T