Sunday, December 16, 2007

If You Love Someone, Tell Them Now.



There's another star in the sky tonight. I lost one of my closest and dearest and most treasured of friends on the 6th. He was one of my most ardent supporters of my work, and was a great encouragement for me to continue. He was an older gentleman and was hospitalized for "wound care" for an injury caused to his leg three weeks before by a careless aide, and he died 10 hours later; unmonitored, unevaluated, and alone, in a hospital he'd never been to previously and should not have been sent to by people who did not have permission. He was being treated for other conditions, but there are so many questions as to how so many things were done wrong concerning his care, that I want to grab the collar of the "Dr." in charge and shake him and ask "Can you say "Malpractice"??"

I am bereft and sorry and crushed. But nothing we might do will change anything now. I watched the casket being lowered into the ground after the funeral, to make sure they were careful, to make it really real because I didn't get to truly say goodbye, though we talked 3 days before. I keep expecting a message on my cell phone, I keep thinking "Oh, I can stop by tomorrow", and there isn't and I can't. I've lost a lot of family and friends at this time of year, another reason I suppose I'm not big on the holidays, they are just something to tolerate and get through with as low a profile as possible.

So if you love someone let them know. Say the words. You'll mostly never know if it might be the last time.

6 comments:

Crabby McSlacker said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. And it's hard enough to lose someone as it is, let alone when it sounds like it was a senseless death caused by negligence.

Thanks for the reminder--it really is scary how fast you can lose someone with too many things left unsaid.

Hope your holidays are peaceful and that you find some comfort for your grief.

TK said...

Thanks Crabby for your kind words, it helps!

Wide Lawns said...

I'm sorry about your friend and I'm glad I discovered your blog and your artwork.

My Kids Mom said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I too have lost many dear loved ones during the holidays, and it plain and simply sucks! I am so sorry.

TK said...

Wide Lawns, thanks for stopping by and for the kind works. I LOVE your blog, so that makes it mean even more to me.
Best wishes and keep up the great work!
TK

My Kids Mom,

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to share your own experience with the loss of loved ones. Yes it sucks! I still have all these reflexes to pick up the phone and call, to say how are you, to go visit, to go to lunch, to say I love you. But at least I can still say "I love you" and part of me feels certain he knows.
All best wishes to you,
TK

Anonymous said...

Heard about his passing, so very sorry he went all alone and in such a way. There was a wonderful generosity about Hank I will always remember. He was a very kind and good man and I am grateful to have known him.