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Friday, January 6, 2012

Crushed, again.

In the process of gathering up and carefully storing all of our assorted Christmas crap, I ran across the box of mismatched  and orphaned Christmas cards.

Every year, I buy three boxes of Christmas cards -- a religiously-themed box, a vulgar/funny box and a non-denominational box. Inevitably, there are leftovers, and just about every third year I can get away with not purchasing cards.  For convenience, all the cards are stacked in a shoebox -- usually with a few stray cards and envelopes from people that need to be added to next years' card list.

At the bottom of the box was a colorful card with a Bethlehem scene on it -- sort of blocky and whimsical -- and covered in scribbles of dreadful handwriting. Three sides of the card were filled with bad puns, academic gossip and random, stream-of-consciousness goofiness.

William's card. From last Christmas.

I knelt there on the floor. First I teared up, and then I just flat-out sobbed for all I was worth.

I miss my friend.

When I had gotten myself under control again, I carefully closed the card and tucked it safely back into the box.


The life of the dead is placed in the heart of the living. -- Cicero

8 comments:

  1. My heart hurts for you. A big hug from me, too.

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  2. After reading your post I went back and read some old e-mails I had exchanged with William. He was coming to KC to speak at the KU School of Medicine. The date was a bit soft but it could have been today that we were to meet for dinner. I was going to treat him to one of KC's finest BBQ joints.

    We meet so many electronically, create friendships and never have the opportunity to visit face to face. I wish I could have met him.

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  3. I was lucky to know William in the real world, and he was one of a kind... And your post brought tears to my eyes remembering him...

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  4. I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. Here's to his memory.

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  5. I exchanged a few emails with him, as well. William was one of the good ones.

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