I felt a wave of sadness wash over me when I heard Lynn’s words. I had been so distracted, watching my adopted grandsons play hockey, that I had not paid attention when she mentioned she knew the sister of my best man. John and I had gone to university together and had been friends since then, but we had lost touch over the years as life sped up. I had even tried to reconnect with him about a year ago when I found some online articles about his work in the local politics of a small community on Vancouver Island, but I never got around to it.

John had always been a positive person, with an infectious personality, who could always find the good in people and any situation. We even enjoyed a few drinks together in moderation. But now, Lynn had told me he was gone, four years ago due to complications from Diabetes, and I felt like I had been punched in the gut. He was only three years younger than me and I never expected him to be taken so soon.

I knew I could never reconcile with him and apologize for not seeing him again, once we lost touch, for not getting to be at his celebration of life. All I could do was have a drink for him tonight and remember our old friendship. It was a reminder to reach out to all those old friends we have lost touch with because it is never too late – unless it is.

Originally Published on https://boomersnotsenior.blogspot.com/

Royce Shook Blogger

I served as a teacher, a teacher on Call, a Department Head, a District Curriculum, Specialist, a Program Coordinator, and a Provincial Curriculum Coordinator over a forty year career. In addition, I was the Department Head for Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a professor both online and in person at the University of Phoenix (Canada) from 2000-2010.

I also worked with Special Needs students. I gave workshops on curriculum development and staff training before I fully retired