Life is too short or so it seems these days. Got a pretty sad e-mail from a friend in Detroit, saying two former colleagues had passed away over the weekend -- both just two days apart and from apparent heart attacks. Both worked in the sports department and as weird and goofy as that department is -- working with all them was never a dull moment.
Dave was 35 -- quiet, reserved but man, get him going on Kiss or any heavy metal band and he talked your ear off. I always had to smile when he started rattling off Kiss' greatest hits -- it was so out of place... this larger-than-life black dude rhapsodizing on which was better -- Kiss with or without the make-up (make-up all the way was his thought!)
And then Paul -- sweet, kind, a little akward with women -- but always patient with the prep free-lancers. He took care of both of his parents until the end at 54 -- and he always worried about what would happen if one of them outlived him (his mother has.)
So with heavy heart -- I grieve with with my former colleagues. That department has had its far share of ups and downs the last two years. Several of us bailed when the paper was going through a transition -- and now we are scattered throughout the U.S. They also lost their slot less than six months ago to an unfortunate incident. So they diligently put out a section with a skelton crew -- all shocked, saddened and a little jaded as to why this keeps happening to them.
As we grow older, death seems to come a lot quicker. Another former colleague at the News died from complications of cebral palsy only a few weeks ago. And a Michigan acquaintance also lost his life at 54 from a massive heart attack on Easter Sunday.
With each hour, it makes me think -- Seize the moment, savor the memories and wish for the best.
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