Enjoy Life!

    We recently joined an old friend’s birthday celebration, a gathering that reminded us of the times gone by. It's been several years since her husband passed away, and I always thought of him as a wonderful person and a dear friend. Sometimes, I still feel a little guilty about his early departure. She’s now alone with her adult children, who now have their own families, yet I realize that she still faces many challenges. Even though I’m fortunate to have my wife by my side, I found it difficult to talk about her loss openly. In that moment, I withdrew my support, feeling unsure of what to say or do. I stayed quiet and kind of kept to myself, wishing I could find the right words to comfort her. 

    She and my wife had been friends before we got married. They used to attend the same church and often sat together on the same pew. During those days, they became quite close, and later, we visited their lovely home out in the rural countryside, where peace was only softly broken by the occasional deer darting by and the hooting owls. Her husband and I would enjoy relaxing outside on the patio; he would be grilling delicious dishes, smoking cigars, and sampling bourbon of our choosing. We’d chat about politics, sports, and fast cars. He truly cherished his family, loved speed, and was passionate about his work. 

    He was a top federal government official, but you would never know it. There is a certain respectful aura about people with authority and means that remains humble and gracious. To me, that is a rare but amazing person. His wife has the same attributes, caring and compassionate.

    When he became ill and was hospitalized, we all held onto hope and prayers. It was a tense time, and he fought with incredible strength. We didn’t realize just how much the struggle was taking out of him. William fought valiantly, and his mission was complete. God called him home peacefully. He made a lasting impression on all of us who loved him. After the funeral, I found myself pulling away. I started thinking about my own mortality and how I would leave my wife behind. William had her cared for, but she was alone now. That really weighed on me. What is love without the one you cherish? How could I face “Little Sister” during her time of grief? I just couldn’t find the right words. 

    She had invited us to various events she held, and I appreciated her thoughtfulness. I often chose not to attend, but I always made sure my wife felt free to go if she wanted. She wouldn’t go without me, though. I did attend one event, a car show, which I enjoyed from afar, watching her from a distance. Just when I thought I had gathered enough courage to talk to her, her son brought his newborn baby to her, and I thought, maybe next time. She kept in touch with my wife about her travels, girl talk, and the memorial events for William. Some of which I even watched on YouTube. Over the past few years, her invitations to meet up became more frequent, and this time she invited us to her birthday celebration, which I looked forward to sharing with her. 

    We arrived at the birthday venue just before the guests, feeling excited and ready to celebrate. Upstairs, 'Little Sister” was busy getting ready, radiating joy. Meanwhile, the caterers and some of the in-laws were hard at work setting up tables with delicious appetizers. We found a cozy two-person table near the window. It was perfect, tucked away yet close enough to the action, near the corner, and the refreshing breeze from the AC vent. The room quickly filled with lively chatter as guests arrived, sampling tasty appetizers and pouring drinks. When the birthday girl stepped into the room, everyone stood and warmly greeted her, then joyfully sang Happy Birthday. We loved watching her work the crowd, and when she finally reached us, her genuine happiness was so heartwarming. She hugged us, smiled brightly, and made us feel truly appreciated.

    This is a deeply emotional time for “Little Sister,” especially with their twentieth-year anniversary just around the corner. I found myself steering clear of emotions that felt overwhelming, choosing to leave challenges untouched instead of facing them head-on. I kept my distance from friendships, because I learned that people I let in sometimes leave. Sadly, many kind-hearted souls were kept out because of a few betrayals and misunderstandings. I only needed a few genuine friends to truly be part of my inner circle. Remember to live life and enjoy every moment!