My friend Dino has "left the range"

[M29since14]

I have been fortunate that in my life there have always been a few influential friends, usually older, and certainly far wiser and more "refined" human beings than friends and acquaintances of my own age. Saturday, one very important to me crossed the great divide. My friend Dino left this world for a better place after a fairly short and dramatic battle with dementia. It was shocking for me. I did not know the disease could progress so quickly - but it did.

I am not writing to ask for sympathy. Dino had a long and beautiful life, and I feel both blessed and grateful to have known him and to have benefited from his friendship for many good years. But I do implore all of you who may still have your influential friends and mentors to not lose sight of them for the blessing that they are, and, if you are able, someday to carry it forward yourself to others who may benefit from your example.

Dino, until we meet again at the big range in the sky, goodbye my friend. You made this world a better place.

 

[woodsltc]

Thanks for the post.

Dino...may you "rest in peace" & God Bless.

Don

 

[gm272gs]

Good post, brother.

In my life, I have met a few people who were what I call "new to the planet". I have always made it a point to make sure that they knew how important our friendship meant to me. I have said goodbye to a few as well.

Today is always the right day to tell a friend what they mean to you. They could get hit by a bus tomorrow. Or it could be you. Everyone always thinks that they're going to wake up in the morning, but few realize that it's not a "sure thing".

Make it count.

 

[pharmer]

Robert Louis Stevenson said it well: "We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Be well. Joe

 

[sipowicz]

But I do implore all of you who may still have your influential friends and mentors to not lose sight of them for the blessing that they are, and, if you are able, someday to carry it forward yourself to others who may benefit from your example.

M29, I try to follow your example every day. The fellow on the left is my 98 year old neighbor Emory. He has slowed down considerably in the past year and needs help getting around. He also can't drive anymore so I take him out at least 3-4 times a week for lunch or he rides shotgun while I shop...we both get a lot out of our outings...I enjoy listening to his stories from the old days and he gets to spend some time away from his TV and lazy boy. The bloke on the right is my father-in-law visiting from New Zealand. Today we had a guy's day out...each of us had a reuben sandwich at the famous Canter's deli in Hollywood...I even had a Dr. Brown Cream soda.

 

[shouldazagged]

It's often difficult for men to say they love each other. My own father never could. But between good friends it gets said, explicitly or implicitly. Sometimes in funny, crude or off-the-wall ways.

However you have to do it, tell your friends you love them. It's important.

Rest well, Dino. You earned it.

 

[sipowicz]

BTW, I hope my own little Dino becomes someone others can look up to like your Dino.