I Lost my Best Friend Today

[crazycarl]

We met in Cub Scouts. My mother was our den mother. In Boy Scouts his father was our Troop leader. Our birthdays were less than a month apart. Every Christmas, his birthday, our tradition was to go sledding. If there wasn't snow, we'd skateboard. Breaking the ice on our pool and taking a polar plunge was another Christmas tradition of ours. We got drunk for the 1st time at the age of 12 while working the coat check at our church's New years Eve party in 1972. He was outgoing and I was shy. Anywhere we went he met a girl and I was left to deal with her friend. Sometimes it worked out in my favor, most the times it did not. We did everything together. In high school we formed a band. It didn't last. "Creative differences". There wasn't a subject or secret we didn't share with each other. The summer of 1977 his father was being transferred to California and we made every day count. We spent our days swimming in the quarries, our nights drag racing down Archer Ave in Chicago, and we ate way too many White Castles. He returned the following year for my wedding and should have been the best man except for a misunderstanding. In our 20s we visited each other as many times as we could afford, but I already had 2 daughters and he was still in night school. Our 30s gave us enough cash so that every other year we would spend weeks traversing the states on our motorcycles. At 40 we both started new professions and decided it was time we saved for retirement, although we still made damn sure we visited each other at least biannually and talked frequently. In our early 50s I got sick, and after 155,000+ miles, had to sell the Honda. That ended our touring phase. We didn't know what was happening to me, but he made the comment he would refuse to come to my funeral because I'm an ass for dying, but he would make sure my wife was taken care of. Thanks, jokes on you, I got better. Joan and I spent a week at his place in January, 2019 and 4 years later when I flew out for his mother's funeral, it was if no time had passed. That's how it has always been between us. As tradition would have it, last Christmas I called to wish him happy birthday and we talked for a short while. He had been dealing with rheumatoid arthritis for the last 2 years and the medicine had him bloated and made him cough horribly. I told him I wanted to come out and see him before his fat ass crossed over, but he didn't want me to see him in his current condition. This Sunday I text him. We "chatted" a bit and I wanted to call him, but knew talking was hard for him. Tuesday he text me from the ICU. He had pneumonia but was feeling better and didn't expect to be in there much longer. I should have read the sign. When he had a quadruple bypass he didn't tell me for weeks after. He knew something wasn't right. We joked back and forth for a bit until he got tired and said our goodbyes. Today my phone rang with his name appearing. "Hey you old fart"! I answered. But it was his wife, and right then I knew. Bob was gone. I always knew I'd out live him, but I never guessed he would go this young. 75 yeah, but 65? I miss him dearly and will think of him often until my end.
Godspeed Bob. I love You.

   

[brackish]

So sorry for your loss. I do, however, envy you for having a friend that close for that length of time.  Growing up as an enlisted Navy nomad brat, we never were anywhere long enough to be able to form that kind of relationship. In fact, after a couple of moves, you subconsciously stay a bit distant to not have to suffer the separation from friends that you know you might never see again. So cherish the memories, the older we get the more I'm convinced that is all we really own on this planet.   

[Roland of Macatawa]

Condolences, Carl
to You and to Bob's family.

May you find Peace amid your grief.

Roland

[Christopher]

Sorry for your loss!

[Cruzin]

My condolences for your loss of a dear friend!
Take care, savor the moments!
Dale

[MarshHen]

Sorry CC, that's tough.  Hang in there buddy.  Here's to Bob.

[kickingbug2]

sorry pal

[alsantini]

May your friend rest in peace Carl and may you and Joan keep him alive in your thoughts and prayers.  Al