PSA: Don`t put off old friends (1 Viewer)

[Da Guru]

The last few years a friend on mine named Ray has been trying to get together with me for a drink, golf, dinner..whatever.  I grew up with Ray and hung out many times and loved every time we were together.  We went different directions after college but we always got together a couple times a year and he always sincerely asked about my life and my family. Ray never married but when my girls were playing volleyball in HS and college he acted like they were his girls he was so proud. Followed everything they did.

I had not seen him in over a year although he tried 3-4 times to meet up. It was always Ray reaching out to me and I was always busy with nonsense that I thought was more important.

Got a  text from his brother at 5:30 tonight that Ray passed away suddenly this morning of a brain aneurysm at 53 .  At that instant I felt a horrible guilt feeling, why did I not take a couple of hours to meet him more?  I don`t have an answer to that.

Very sad that I missed many chances the last year to see him. More sad that I will never see him again. That is on me and it is difficult.  

Don`t be me....take some time. 

 

[AcerFC]

Sorry for your loss 

 

[matuski]

Don't be too hard on yourself.

Life happens, we all get caught up in our own lives and families.  

The great thing about friends like this.. they know you love them, they get it, even if you didn't make that last hang out for beers.

 

[krista4]

The great thing about friends like this.. they know you love them, they get it, even if you didn't make that last hang out for beers.

Great posting. 

Sorry for your loss, Guru.

 

[kutta]

The last few years a friend on mine named Ray has been trying to get together with me for a drink, golf, dinner..whatever.  I grew up with Ray and hung out many times and loved every time we were together.  We went different directions after college but we always got together a couple times a year and he always sincerely asked about my life and my family. Ray never married but when my girls were playing volleyball in HS and college he acted like they were his girls he was so proud. Followed everything they did.

I had not seen him in over a year although he tried 3-4 times to meet up. It was always Ray reaching out to me and I was always busy with nonsense that I thought was more important.

Got a  text from his brother at 5:30 tonight that Ray passed away suddenly this morning of a brain aneurysm at 53 .  At that instant I felt a horrible guilt feeling, why did I not take a couple of hours to meet him more?  I don`t have an answer to that.

Very sad that I missed many chances the last year to see him. More sad that I will never see him again. That is on me and it is difficult.  

Don`t be me....take some time. 

We always think that #### won't happen to us or those we care about. But it does. 

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[bucksoh]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Da Guru]

Don't be too hard on yourself.

Life happens, we all get caught up in our own lives and families.  

The great thing about friends like this.. they know you love them, they get it, even if you didn't make that last hang out for beers.

You are right.  There are some old friends that I have even if I have not seen them in years when I do it is just like I saw them yesterday.  Ray was that type of friend. We just always picked right up like no time had passed. 

Then there are others that I have not seen in years and it seems awkward.

 

[Judge Smails]

So sorry for your loss. Good reminder for all to be with family and friends as much as possible. No guarantees of another day. 

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

 

[Zegras11]

My favorite and best inspector is always jam packed booked. After killing it for five years, he finally booked a 3-week vacation to Turkey to go pari-gliding with a lot of buddies here and pros from all over the world. 

He inspected a home for me last month, and as always we talked way longer than we should as we caught up on our lives and latest RE stuff.  We spent a lot of time talking about his upcoming trip.  He died Friday in a horrible accident doing the thing he loved most.  I'm still in some shock.  He was such an amazing guy. Often dropped what he was doing to help someone in need remodeling a home.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Sounds like Ray gave you a great gift on his way out, as friends are wont to do.  Don't waste it.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Sorry for you loss, Buddy. But don't be tough on yourself. You can't do everything you want to do.

With that said, great advice from you. Do what you can. 

People over just about anything else is a pretty good way to roll. 

 

[El Floppo]

so sorry guru for your loss- but thanks for the PSA.

been thinking about reaching out to a handful of old friends recently... will stop thinking and just do it.

 

[SofaKings]

Great advice, sorry for your loss.