I stopped at the 7-eleven on the way home from work today to pick up a 6-pack of Coors Light in honor of my friend's dad. I'm not really a huge fan myself, but it is the adult beverage of his choice and it seemed fitting. He has always been a kind and fun person to be around. I remember one night he decided to take a few people bar hopping to his favorite watering holes. I don't remember the occasion, but it doesn't really matter, he never needed an occasion to live life - the fact that we were all there would have been just as good of a reason as anything else to him.
It was probably only the second or third time I had met him so I didn't really know him very well , but that never mattered to him. He had met me once! That was enough for him to invite me to join the fun. I don't remember all that we did, or even every place that we went. All I really remember was there was never a time when I didn't feel like I belonged there and that had everything to do with him.
Earlier this week he lost his battle with cancer and today was his funeral. I haven't been to too many funerals, but I have already figured out that I am a train wreck at them. But I don't mind. He was a good person, and I will miss him - surely it is appropriate for me to express this even though I know he is at peace now and feels no more pain.
I made the silly decision to go back to work afterward. I was worn out and spent, my head was hurting progressively more and more, and I really had no desire to be there. So I left.
. . . and now I am home writing this and remembering the man he was and remembering the short time that I was privileged enough to know him. A long time ago a letter was printed in a very wise book that stated that we should 'count it all joy'. That is something I hope I can glean from the life of my friend's father. Through the good and the bad, he was truly happy each and every day and I believe that was because he knew he had one more day to live and whatever trial he would have to face that day was worth that opportunity - to love and be loved.
So this Silver Bullet is for you, my good friend's father! I will probably switch back to Miller Light after this, but anytime I am offered a Coors Light, I will no doubt think of you and remember the joy for life that you treasured!
. . . until next we meet.
Sandalmarks
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