Those of you who follow me at Twitter will know that I learned that a friend of mine passed away a few weeks ago, of course I just found out yesterday. I'm still processing that because this friend was someone who was around when I was at my worst and always cheered me up in some form or another. Many occasions he had saved my life by just being there--being an ear to listen to my problems.
It's a horrible feeling when you're not "there" to say goodbye to someone. Needless to say, I didn't know things were that serious and there's no way I could have just chilled out in his home country to check on him. I know that he left Australia but I based the reason off of what someone told me. I'll tell you now that's not the best way to go.
My friend had been suffering for some time but he told me that it was his foot from an infection of some sort so he had to visit the doctor very regularly. I went with him sometimes but I was never in the examination room with him. Little did I know that it was so serious.
Lesson learned: Treat people like it's their last day on Earth because you never know when life will come to a screeching halt.
Today, things have all crashed in on me and I've been off antidepressants for about a month and a half now. I'm handling everyday life quite well and proud of myself, actually. It seems like yesterday that my father passed away and I realized that he's not coming back. Along with that, I thought about my friend not coming back as well. I cried and got some of it out today... as well as last night.
I wish I could have had that extra few minutes to say goodbye to both of them. I didn't get that. I remember my dad asking me if I could be home a day earlier when I last saw him. I told him that I will see what I can do and if I don't, I'll leave early in the morning and help him do some yardwork. Little did I know that those 8 hours were going to make or break me. I had also borrowed some cash from him and told him I'd pay him back in a few days. I didn't get to do that later. There are so many things that I miss about him from his constant spewing of sass to his adventurous appetite.
As with my friend it totally upsets me that I didn't get to say goodbye. I even went as far to send an email, knowing he couldn't get it, just to have it returned with a failure that said the account didn't exist. I don't know when I will get that clearance I need to be able to move on, but I like to think he was hovering over my shoulder reading it while I typed it.
While I've been in Melbourne, I have kept myself locked up so to speak. I haven't gone out of my way to do things or see my friends here, but I think it's about time for me to stop the nonsense. You know, to snap out of it.
So to these people who I've lost over the year, I'll miss you tremendously and you'll forever remain in my heart. Thanks for being there, for being a friend and understanding the person who is Ben.
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