People We Know

Yesterday, I received an email from a high school classmate--the one who sends out mailings of big news, or about reunions.   He was alerting everyone about a classmate's hospitalization, and cancer and treatment.  A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from the same person, letting us all know that Evelyn had passed away.  Evelyn was admired, respected, loved.  Her demise came as a big shock, hard to imagine.

Today, Gerry came home from the office with sad news about two people he knows, one a faculty friend and former college roommate. This friend has a nasty brain tumor, which has returned after a previous surgery, and he is in the hospital again.  The prognosis is not good.  The wife of a different friend has breast cancer, the really aggressive kind.  When one hears about these ailments afflicting friends you know well,  it is really hard not to take it personally, and to think about your own ending.

For those friends who are still among us, we wish them good days and healing,  effective therapies, excellent care and lots of hope.

While I am not preoccupied with the matter, the questions lurk.  Or at least they do for me.  Not in a morbid way, or a fearful way---more from curiosity.  Who What When How.  and then what?

No doubt we all want the same things, hope the same things.  Good health.  People who love us. Strength for the journey.  Not to be a burden.  To go quickly.  Not to suffer.  Eternal life.  ( I'm so glad I believe in that!!)