Life is Precious, Let The Shenanigans Begin!

I’m not sure what to write. Me, at a loss for words. Weird, eh?

Today I found out that a dear friend from college passed away at six am this morning from a heart attack.

Mike was an awesome human being. He was one of those people that always had an infectious smile and a glint in his eye - made you wonder what he was up to and get involved in whatever shenanigans were about to transpire. He was also tender, and caring and genuine. He had a wicked sense of humor and one of my favorite things to do with him was to simply talk, drink some wine and laugh at life.

He was only 2 years older than me.

He didn’t die in some freak accident or because he did something stupid - the kinds of things we all did in our youth.

He died from something that happens to use as we age. Yes I know many young people have had heart attacks.

But he was my peer, my college buddy. One of the close friends I had growing up in Ohio, who was part of a much bigger group of friends whom I love and adore and don’t see enough. He wasn’t so supposed to die so young.

Some of us had been talking recently about a “reunion.” None of us thought it would come to this.

It made me stop and think about the last time I saw him in Ohio, over Thanksgiving last year. I’m so glad I got that chance, not knowing it was going to be my last.

How many times had I thought of picking up the phone to call him, or even comment on his Facebook post, or do anything to reach out and say “Hey Friend - I’m thinking of you. I love you” and didn’t do it.

It’s not that I feel guilty or am mad at myself.

I’m simply present to the beauty of life and the preciousness of each moment that we are given.

So today in his memory, do me a favor and pick up the phone, or send an email or text to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Oh, and make sure to have a good laugh, Mike loved a good laugh. I can hear your laugh now.

RIP my brother. I love you.