Best friend just died suddenly

[pacergal]

Wow, late last night received unwelcome news. One of the couple (our good friends who've in California that I frequently mention) passed away last night.
He and DH have been friends since HS, he was like a brother. I have known him and his DW for almost 50 years, met just out of HS.
He was out shopping with his wife, felt ill, ambulance called, he had a sudden heart attack and was unable to be revived.
We are in a state of shock. His 68th birthday is tomorrow.

We have traveled frequently with them, the guys were in each others weddings. Heck, we each got married two months apart, same year. Our two kids were born same months/same years as two of theirs! Our families have vacationed at the beach and in the mountains together when the kids were young.

I grieve so much for the loss in our lives and the lives of his family. He was their rock. He gave the BEST bear hugs! DH and I have been crying off and on all night.
They have another grand baby due next month. The circle of Life continues. I rejoice that he is with God. But my heart is hurting.

 

[Kings over Queens]

I'm so sorry to read this.

 

[MichaelB]

So sorry to hear this. Condolences to the family.

 

[Gumby]

Good friends are hard to find and it really hurts to lose them. I'm so sorry.

 

[Midpack]

So sorry. My best friend up north died about 2 weeks ago, at 79 of natural causes. Sad.

 

[marko]

So sorry to hear this!!! Very difficult, especially when there was no warning or illness. Condolences.

 

[FIYes]

So very, very hard to lose a good friend and this was a shock…so sudden. Sending a virtual hug your way.

 

[MarieIG]

I am so sorry. What a tremendous loss to you and to his family.

 

[easysurfer]

I'm sorry to hear this.

The older we get seems life is more precious. I heard that over the weekend a classmate of mine from grade school had a stroke. Luckily for him, he was administered anti-clotting medication soon and the clot was removed in time without any brain damage.

 

[mystang52]

So sorry to read this.

 

[jazz4cash]

RIP. You two couples were fortunate to have enjoyed such a long close relationship. That is rare.

 

[aja8888]

Sorry to hear, 68 is too young to leave.

 

[GrayHare]

My condolences. Since there's no way to replace a lost, best friend, I console myself by remembering how lucky I've been to know them.

 

[pb4uski]

Sorry for your loss. I'm sure that it's hard. I dread when that day comes for me.

 

[Purslane]

Another good reminder to make living, rather than making-a-living, the priority. Losing a friend like that hurts deeply. Maybe other don't feel this way but I think when you lose someone foundational, a part of you dies also. I mourn for the individual, of course, and I mourn for myself.

 

[38Chevy454]

Sad news for sure, 68 is still too young. Sounds like the family will be very changed by his passing.

Sometimes I wonder though, about the comparison of sudden loss of a loved one vs a long drawn out decline and eventual passing. The sudden is harder to accept when it happens, but minimizes the suffering of the person who died. Whereas with the long decline, the family and friends have time to prepare mentally and the death is just the final step in the process. Yes the loss is still just as real, but the only shock is the final timing, not the fact the person has been dying and suffering from their illness for an extended length of time.

 

[RetiredHappy]

So sorry to read this. It's tough to lose someone close and so suddenly.

 

[tulak]

So sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences. 68 is too young.

 

[easysurfer]

Sad news for sure, 68 is still too young. Sounds like the family will be very changed by his passing.

Sometimes I wonder though, about the comparison of sudden loss of a loved one vs a long drawn out decline and eventual passing. The sudden is harder to accept when it happens, but minimizes the suffering of the person who died. Whereas with the long decline, the family and friends have time to prepare mentally and the death is just the final step in the process. Yes the loss is still just as real, but the only shock is the final timing, not the fact the person has been dying and suffering from their illness for an extended length of time.

I used to think about this a lot. Dying suddenly or a long drawn out decline. Like everything else, pros and cons to each. Suddenly and there is no chance to say goodbye and get your affairs in order. Long drawn out and there is the change to say goodbye and get things in order, but the suffering must be miserable.

I trying not to think this way that much anymore as I try to cherish my time left. Be good to others. Live a life of integrity.

Yet, I do pause at times and think, darn, the hourglass is having less and less sand. For example if I buy something new like a major appliance or car, I think to myself those things may outlive me.

 

[Ronstar]

Sorry for your loss, pacergal. 68 seems to be a critical age for one's health. I lost 3 high school / junior college classmates last year when they were 68.

 

[splitwdw]

Pacergal, So sorry for your loss. You are lucky that you had this friend for so long.

 

[bjorn2bwild]

We all suffer the loss when a good person dies.
68 was too young, hope he didn't suffer.

 

[audreyh1]

So sorry for your loss!

 

[Goldendoodlebug]

sorry for your loss. I am Saddened for you

 

[mistermike40]

I'm very sorry for your loss.