the telephone rings and a voice haltingly speaks:

” someone you love is approaching death’s door, no time for details, come as fast as you can, i know they would want you to be here before they leave this plane”

so you rush to the hospital and it’s a dear old friend, struck by a car as they were taking groceries in…… you say ” well you always had to make it a show, made sure that everyone new you were here before you go” and they manage a smile and flip you the bird, everyone laughs in between tears and sobs

you sit down next to the bed, ” now in all seriousness a few things need to be said, i will make sure your cat gets a good home. Thank-you for teaching me how to be a good friend. For not holding all my short-comings over my head. My life will never be the same and everyone in this room has gained by you being in their lives. You are so nosy i’m sure we will feel you again anytime we make jokes about the government or our friends. I think you know what you mean to me, walking down that long road of sobriety. For not giving up when i wanted to quit, for let me finding my way back after i slipped. i’m grateful i was able to say these things, you got a lot of nerve running out on me.”

you opened your eyes and waved goodbye ………………………you slipped away from us

but brother you will never die, you will never die

thank-you