…I mean, I really don’t know what else to call it. You see…
A friend I went to high school with died.
A friend I went to high school with died unexpectedly.
A friend I went to high school with died unexpectedly and quickly.
A friend I went to high school with died unexpectedly and quickly from COVID.
I felt like writing this once just wasn’t enough. Like those 14 ‘little’ words didn’t have enough weight and depth to them…but I don’t know how to make them extra, so I’ll make them more point.ed.ly.
{{I know…EVERYONE thinks ‘That doesn’t happen to me – only other people.’ But…who are all these ‘other people’ that must have the cr@ppiest lives ever? And, how did those poor souls get on that list?}}
Yes, I hadn’t seen my friend in much longer than I would have liked. And we mostly kept up with each other from our Facebook newsfeeds…but there are some people that come into your life {even if just for a blink} that imprint so deeply.
With his hilarity reaching across the continent, and all the traveling restrictions and concerns {I don’t think,} open services have been scheduled. So, a virtual get-together was organized for last night. Our get-together was so lovingly planned and every little detail spoke to his love and legacy.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure I was going to attend (like most wakes I end up attending) but I am so very glad that I did! I was honored to be there to (mostly) listen to the amazingly touching stories. The crazy. The zany. The inappropriate. And, (the overarching theme of) sincerity and caring.
It was exactly what I needed last night – mid-pandemic. {Though I think it’s pretty obvious the reason for the event could have been left out entirely.} I was able to reconnect with people I hadn’t seen in years and reminisce about the happiest and most carefree time of our lives. It was almost like the ‘good ol’ days’ where, as young adults, we’d travel back into town for the holidays and meet up at a local bar and grill to ‘get away from the parents for awhile’….and we’d end up shutting the place down…
…but now that I’m officially old, I could do it from my house…on the sofa…in my sweatpants…with drinks I poured myself…and could shut the place down and still be in bed before the news…
Cory, you truly touched so many lives – it was clearly evident last night. You are loved and you will be dearly missed. Please save me a (very minor) role in you home-made movie in the sky…or better yet, I’ll do the props 😉
