Things you'll never forget

[Radbird]

Today is the 14th anniversary of my best friend Tuck's passing. He died of mantle cell lymphoma. He joked about that - he was from Dallas and a big Rangers fan - wanted to know why he had to have a disease named after a Yankee ("why couldn't I have sundberg cell lymphoma?").

Anyway, I went to chemo with him a few times and was always amazed at how well he handled things (the Roger Ebert thread reminded me of him). He got a stem cell transplant from his sister but it didn't work. His dad called about 6 on April 5, 1999 and said it didn't look good and I should get down to the hospital. Also asked if I had Willie Nelson's Stardust CD which was his favorite. I got there, put the CD on and joined in a circle surrounding his bed. We all held hands - I held Tuck's right hand, his dad at the other end of the circle held his left.

He died around 9 in between these 2 songs. I will always believe that this was his way of telling us that he was okay.

September Song
Oh, the days dwindle down
To a precious few September, November
And these few precious days
I'll spend with you
These precious days I'll spend with you

<<flatlines and passes peacefully>>

On The Sunny Side of the Street
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worries on the doorstep
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street

Can't you hear the pitter-pat
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be complete
On the sunny side of the street

I used to walk in the shade
with my blues on parade
But I'm not afraid...
this rover's crossed over

With the passage of time, the grieving has turned into mainly good memories. But sometimes there are the missed moments - the only bad things about the 2011 WS were that we didn't get to watch it together (there would've been a lot of smack talk) and that I couldn't call my dad to celebrate.

I'll head down to the cemetery tomorrow to pay my respects.

Thanks for reading. Just had to get that out of my system.

[Molly]

Very touching Radbird.

[Bo Hart]

Great story, Rad. That was heartwarming.

[stlouie_lipp]

It was nice of his family to invite you in for his last moments.

[jim]

In many ways I'm closer to my friends than I am some of my family. After all, I chose my friends. Awesome that you are still honoring him today in your thoughts, that's what I would want from my friends.

[Radbird]

I'm honoring him by rooting for the Rangers (I'd be doing that anyway since they're playing the Angel$, but whatever) They're tied 1-1 in the 5th.

[JackofDiamonds]

For a hole in your roof or a whole new roof, call Frederic roofing.

[mikechamp]

For a hole in your roof or a whole new roof, call Frederic roofing.

645-2000!!

[go birds]

I consider my best friends practically an extended part of my family. Stuff like this is a reminder to not take anyone for granted.

Cool story rad.

[heyzeus]

Thanks for sharing Rad.

I wonder how I'll go, or if I'll have the chance for it to be peaceful and with my loved ones nearby. We just don't get much say in this, unfortunately.

I'm always reminded of a joke, maybe it was a deep thought by Jack Handy, I'm unsure.

"When I die, I hope I go peacefully in my sleep, like Grandma. Not screaming and terrified, like the passengers who were in the car with her."