A Farewell: No and Yes

My friend, who I've known since kindergarten class, died unexpectedly this Monday.  It was almost a year since I'd last seen him, and for a good many years prior we had been out of touch.  And yet, looking at all the family photos on display at the funeral home (quite a few with me in them!), so many memories pushed into my head.  He was unable to take 'no' for an answer.  One way or another, he 'helped' you to see things his way, and to say 'yes'.  And one was very rarely sorry for saying yes: we would visit The Detroit Institute of Arts, go to discos (yeah, now I'm showing my age!), and even pretend shop for wedding rings while still in high school.  We attended concerts, planned parties, and played euchre (card game) as often as possible.  Kevin was never my date, nor a romantic partner, but he was a dear friend.  He lived life fully, and he is already sorely missed.

So, when my phone rang last night, with news of an event in Chicago in a few weeks time with my girlfriends, I did what I normally do, and said, "No". Then thoughts of Kevin's untimely death and his persistence in wringing a 'Yes' out of us all, made me change my mind.  I may not be able to do all of the crazy things in life that I would like to do, but I can do some...and a quick weekend trip to Chicago isn't really that nutty, is it?

So long, Kev...I love you and you will always be a part of me.

And to you all out there...hug your loved ones tight, be they human or furry. Every day is a gift, and sometimes we let the drudgery of living blind us to it.  Make love, not war, and do joyous things with your time.