Losing a friend

Losing a friend

A good friend of mine (Bill) was diagnosed with liver cancer a few weeks ago; he is a very kind man, gentle with a ready smile for everyone or anyone he happens to meet.  His wife died about 8 years ago but he has 8 children with whom he is very close.  That fact alone is very telling about what kind of a man he is. His children adore him, and have gathered around him at this time.  I saw him the other night and he seemed in good spirits.  He was bald because of the radiation treatments he had to go thru and also the chemo, but he was in good spirits.  We talked a bit, though he does not like to talk about his illness; though he mentioned to me that he did not expect to live long, since the cancer has spread, so he seemed to be prepared.  He is a man of deep faith.

Today another friend came and notified me that Bill was told today that they will stop Chemo and put him on hospice since there is nothing else they can do.  From what I gather they do not expect him to live thru Christmas.  This saddens me, it is always hard to say goodbye to a really good man that one has grown to love.  Hopefully I will be able to see him again before he dies.

I am sure it is very hard on the children; goodbyes always are when they are permanent.  When a parent dies there is always a void that will never be filled.  The pain lessens as the years go by, but they are always missed, at least the good parents are missed, and Bill is one of those, probably one of the best.

Peace

Mitch

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