Goodbye to a Good Friend

In not too long, I will turn 40 as will two of my closeset friends who are twins, born on the same day as I am. Now 40 looks old to you when you are 20 or so, but young when you are in your 60's. What really makes me feel old is some ad about an anti-wrinkle cream where the host is a gal who is asking you to look a little closer because she is 43. But she looks so young. Hey what's going on? I expect you to look young without the cream. Just smile a lot. People will think you are young.

Why am I ranting (if you knew me, you would obviously expect this). I have felt old from about my 30th birthday or before. My brother is 136 months younger than I am. his youthfulness and his friends always remind me, hey I might be old. I am not in denial.

The reason I touch on age, also is the inevitability of when life stops being of the flesh and reaches into the next world. If anyone passes away before they reach their 90's I just feel like they died young. If I knew and loved them, I am rather tormented about their loss.

One of the friends Kelly and I had from as far back as Oak Grove Jr. High just passed away. He was a brilliant guy who always felt most comfortable making everyone else laugh. He was not a class clown kind of guy. He suffered from a disabling disorder that is called Friedrich's Ataxia. It is a disorder that started by making his arms and legs work similar to Woody from Toy Story. The creator of Woody, Peter Doctor, was a friend of David Lewis. The friend who passed away.

Dave Lewis was just happy to make everyone smile and laugh. His writings and thoughts were filled with the dualities of every day life. His perspectives significantly more pervasive. Eventually, Dave became wheel-chair ridden. This after the years of braces and scoliosis and loss of muscle functions. Eventually, he became harder to speak with because Ataxia also goes after muscles that allow us to speak.

I made an entry in his obituary. If you can read the entries, please do so. Below is mine.

I had known Dave as had my wife Kelly from Junior High. We did not stay in touch with Dave as often as we wanted to for most of the last two decades. Something happened last year. Jeff, one of his very good buddies whom we would get occasional emails and updates from, asked us to hook up for a holiday get-together. It was a moment everyone there that cold December Evening will remember and cherish. Dave made us all laugh and smile and remember great moments in life. His humor was somewhat more difficult to understand since I had not spoke with him in a while. Kari, Jeff, Jerome Kristen all helped us with the occasional moment of not understanding. Having had this moment with him, I like the rest of us planned on having many more. The happiness derived at that event was enormous. It helps balance the tears of missing Dave, a truly incredible friend whom we all wish would be on earth with us for just several more decades. I will remember being with Dave at the hospital the day before he died. All the photos I took of him with those who love him there with him. It is amazing he could not speak. We were all filled with tears. But he secretly reached into all of our hearts and made us share stories about him that made us all laugh. I look forward to his 40th birthday. I will think of you often. I will always miss you. Smiles trying to swim above all the tears.

What Happened In Nebraska?

I am in Omaha and Lincoln right now, with a fellow rep, Chris. Today the two of us hit the streets hard. We had so many accounts to hit and were nailing really big stuff, new accounts, new equipment and impressing so many folks...we were on fire.

Everything was going great. We were so busy we could not get lunch until 3.15 pm and that was a to-go. We are headed up Dodge and Chris says his truck just died, the momentum fading as we go up just past 42nd. He tries to re-crank it.

We have a big account to hit, with big equipment!

Truck will not turn! Trucks behind us and traffic is buzzing (on both sides). Hey let's push up a few feet and turn... we cannot do it. Chris is pretty healthy, but my flab is showing it's ugly side. You know the side that looks like Archie Bunker leaning on a car, more ready to sleep than be useful.

Chris being respectful and seeing myself in a suit and dress shoes, says, let's just let the hill do it's thing. Steer into the parking lot (a McDonald's no less).

I swing it as I avoid hitting any oncomming traffic, Chris pushing the truck while I steer.

The best laid plans. We sat forever in a Mc Donald's lot. Practically blocking the driveway. eating jambalaya and chicken we picked up at another restaurant.

We may not have been able to make it to our last account, but we were dressed well. The Bruegger's next door had enough signal so we could send emails.

77 degrees and sunny. The day could be good or bad. But that moment is one that makes memories.

Have a good one yourself.