I met him in 7th grade. Shortly thereafter I broke my leg trying to keep up with him. We attended the same schools, lived in the same neighborhood surrounded by blue collar families. We were taught the difference between right and wrong by some strong people. We grew up in a unique moment in time. We've seen amazing moments in history. Things both national and personal. From Nixon on until Ukraine. Space shuttles and Twin Towers. The fall of communism and the Berlin wall. Until the last election we really had nothing significant to debate about either. Our unspoken commonalities were the same. Our values dictated it was always us vs them. He never wavered from that belief to the point of helping anyone who asked. Still, I get where he was coming from all to well. He liked a good song as well as his demons. I think we both did. I had seen this even back in the day. We celebrated each moment in our own way, often to the point of hilarious stupor. I don't think fate could have allowed any deviation to this end. Deliberate and intentional to who, what, and where we are today.
He had such a vivid imagination as well. Man could he weave a tail. Over time his perception of our world had changed. We all get old and are either compelled toward or placed by force into new situations. This was his Achillies heal. He seen those changes time and again through his life and each time those moments arrived they took a small piece of his soul. He never fully recovered from the loss of the love of his life Becky. I think that took the biggest part of it. Glad he isnt in pain from that anymore.
This moment is of transcendence into whatever comes next. In context for me I like to think God plans all this. We are only along for the ride people. As for my friend, I am going to think he called shotgun. We will meet again one day.
