Bye John

I felt a wave of sadness wash over me when I heard Lynn's words. I had been so distracted, watching my adopted grandsons play hockey, that I had not paid attention when she mentioned she knew the sister of the person who had been my best man at my Wedding. John and I had gone to university together and had been friends, but we had lost touch over the years as life sped up. I had even tried to reconnect with him about a year ago when I found some online articles about his work in the local politics of a small community on Vancouver Island, but I never got around to it.

John had always been a positive person, with an infectious personality, who could always find the good in people and any situation. He was a warm and loving man. We even enjoyed a few drinks together in moderation. But now, Lynn had told me he was gone, a year ago due to complications from Diabetes, and I felt like I had been punched in the gut. He was only three years younger than me and I never expected him to be taken so soon.

I knew I could never reconcile with him and apologize for not seeing him again, once we lost touch, for not getting to be at his celebration of life. All I could do was have a drink for him tonight and remember our old friendship. It was a reminder to reach out to all those old friends we have lost touch with because it is never too late - unless it is.