How a Great Day Ended in Tears

Life’s been good and I’m not complaining, but I went through a little funk last week after returning from an awesome trip to the Northwest. I felt overwhelmed for several days, not able to work when I had the chance, and I didn’t know what was wrong. I attributed it to having too many projects on my plate and not focusing on small tasks at hand. Instead of trying to fight a losing battle, I decided to set all my work to the side and enjoy my family.

I’m not the kind of guy who just throws parties, especially at the last minute, but I invited some friends and family with kids over for a pool party on Monday. My daughter had a blast playing with her friends she’d been asking about for the past few months and all of us adults had a great time too. Between the back flips, launching kids into the pool, and taking full-speed punches from my nephews, my body took some abuse, but it was worth it.

Later that night after all the fun was over and my daughter was asleep, I made my way to the office hoping to get back to work. The party had re-energized me, but I couldn’t focus, most of my thoughts on how good it’d been to see everyone and how seldom we make that attempt. I thought I’d thrown the party for my daughter, but I realized it was just as much for me. I needed friends and family around. I wanted to see the kids laughing. That’s because the guy who grew up next door to me and had been my best friend since we were old enough to walk from his backyard to mine, wasn’t able to be there. A few days before he had texted me some terrible news about his mother and uncle. It was cancer, the kind people don’t bounce back from. Instead of calling him right then, I tried to fit my inadequate response in 320 characters. I had no idea what to tell him or if he’d even want to hear it. I did what most of us do when we think of death and tried to ignore it.

I couldn’t ignore it any more on Monday. I was ashamed at myself, how I’d gone on living, having an incredible time celebrating friends and family while a good friend was going through some of the toughest shit he’ll ever face. It got me thinking about just how much him and his family mean to me, how I let them fade out of my life, a phone call here or email there the only thing keeping us connected. Rich’s house was a second home to me, much of my time spent over there. His older brother, Tim, was one of my idols and I’ll always be grateful for him introducing me to AC/DC’s Hell’s Bells when I was seven or eight. Their mom and dad always made me feel so welcome and loved, a real part of their family, taking me on the annual fishing trips to Bishop and so many other fun places. I experienced so much with these people and am a much better person for it.

I’m not a super emotional guy, but it didn’t take long before the tears were coming. I was thinking of Rich’s mom, thinking back to all the times we were kids. Every time I pictured her, she always looked the same, a big smile on her face.

I hadn’t planned on writing this post and wasn’t sure how I felt about sharing it, but I think it’s good to be reminded about things like this. Life is precious, enjoy the hell out of it. Appreciate the relationships that you have. Love those around you and actually tell them what you’re thinking.

Rich and his family are some of the most genuine and caring people I know. It sucks they’re going through this. Please send positive thoughts his way.