The sad aftermath of winter.

[Ivan the Butcher]

I went through my cell phone directory and removed two of my friends that passed away, both from cancer.

I knew Emily since 1975, when she was just 15. She was a never failing friend that always had my best interest at heart. Her middle son and my youngest son were inseparable for the last 10 years of her son's life. When he passed about 8 years ago, it was like the light went out in her eyes.

I knew Anita since 1982, after her husband left her. She came to our church looking for Hope. She found Family! She became a close friend and eventually my M-I-L's best friend. I watched her daughters grow into beautiful women, get married and together they produced 9 grandchildren and so far, 5 great grandkids!

I wish everyone had a friend like them, I was blessed with the two of them.

One of the things that saddens me most, is it used to take me a year or two to delete the contacts of lost friends, now it has become so common, it only takes a few weeks.

Ivan

 

[robvious]

could not give you a like.. but understand how life speeds up as we slow down.. sorry for your loss

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have saved voicemails from my late brother, late friends and late forum members.

It does me good to listen to them and remember the happy conversations.

 

[Mark 40]

Emily and Anita sound like wonderful people and you certainly were blessed to count them as friends.

 

[Jessie]

Got a few of those myself Rusty. My Moms too.

 

[GypsmJim]

Understatements all.

This past winter my wife and I both had cancer - all relatively simple and we are progressing fine with operations.

But my best buddy (of 55 years - met in high school) has inoperable cancer that is bleak but so far its going OK.

Our best wishes to all.

 

[SMSgt]

It took a while to delete my sister's contact info after brain cancer took her. It just seems so . . . final.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

It took a while to delete my sister's contact info after brain cancer took her. It just seems so . . . final.

The first of my close friends to go was a fine young 32 year old man, that I knew for about 7 or 8 years. He just didn't wake up one Sunday (on all Saint's Day) It took two and a half years before I could bring myself to press "Delete", but as I pressed it with tear running down my face, I could tell he was still watching over me!

Now about every 3 or 4 months I need to clean another name or two. Yes I miss them, but mostly the tears are of joy for what each of them brought to my life and my family. Ivan

 

[Llance]

Cry for me if cry you must, but let the tears be not of sadness but of joy.
Cry for the good times we had, not the sadness which has passed our way.
Cry for the loved we shared, not the troubles which made the love worthwhile.
Let your heart be joyfull for the times we had, the love we shared, the comfort we got from our lives together.
Be joyfull that where I am you too shall be, comforted by the love of our Saviour.
I rest my weary head knowing that you have made my life worth living.

Bless you Ivan for having such good friends that you can remember them for the love they brought into your life.

Llance

Did you know that Ivan pronounced in the Russian is pronounced as Evon?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Bless you Ivan for having such good friends that you can remember them for the love they brought into your life.

Llance

Did you know that Ivan pronounced in the Russian is pronounced as Evon?

I didn't know the other pronunciation, but I did know it is John in Russian.

 

[Breakaway500]

I have a rolodex full of people and businesses long gone. Tough to grow old but sure beats the alternative!

 

[petepeterson]

I have several friends and family members on my phone that have passed. No reason to delete a memory.
Now if their name pops up when it rings....I might change my mind.

 

[LVSteve]

My father, with his typical bluntness, called it "The Winter Cull". His turn came January 2011. As for keeping contact info and voicemails, I still have my first wife's voicemail greeting recorded.

 

[Doug627]

I liked your description of the friendships. Sorry for your losses.

 

[GB]

When I was young and someone I knew passed away, it was somewhat shocking and unusual. Now, it all to common. 4 of my best friends in the last 4 years and I don't have that many friends to spare!

 

[Nevada Ed]

It starts when you hit 55.....................

My wife and I were just talking the other day, how friends are dropping like flys.

You almost hate to hear your phone ring.

Get out and enjoy life and friends, while you can.

 

[JohnRippert]

I lost a good chunk of my friends before I was 50. Getting close to 60 now and every couple years hear about another. I have been doing Mom's emails for her since she developed quick onset dementia and we hear about another of her high school classmates passing every few months. Just a fact of life now that we are older.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Most of my best friends are gone now, dating back many years. One in Korea the others later. My address book is full of crossed out names & numbers. Sad as it is I still have my memories & I use them often. Gun buys & sells & happy times with old buddies, stories around the camp fires, the birts of my children & grands & greates & more to com. Wish my wife was here to enjoy these days too.

 

[Ghost Magnum]

I went through my cell phone directory and removed two of my friends that passed away, both from cancer.

I knew Emily since 1975, when she was just 15. She was a never failing friend that always had my best interest at heart. Her middle son and my youngest son were inseparable for the last 10 years of her son's life. When he passed about 8 years ago, it was like the light went out in her eyes.

I knew Anita since 1982, after her husband left her. She came to our church looking for Hope. She found Family! She became a close friend and eventually my M-I-L's best friend. I watched her daughters grow into beautiful women, get married and together they produced 9 grandchildren and so far, 5 great grandkids!

I wish everyone had a friend like them, I was blessed with the two of them.

One of the things that saddens me most, is it used to take me a year or two to delete the contacts of lost friends, now it has become so common, it only takes a few weeks.

Ivan

Sorry for your lost.

 

[M29since14]

I too have contacts that someone might say should be deleted. I keep them anyway. When I am searching for something and I see one of those names it is a happy reminder, and I usually stop for a moment to think about that person. I'm not going to cheat myself out of that simple pleasure by pushing the delete button.