The other world

We cannot live without dying.. There is this man I met, through our diabetes forum. He is an absolute delight to be around. In his early childhood, he was diagnosed with diabetes. In those days, diets were strict and there were no glucose meters around to check your own blood sugars. But he did great. He accepted the diagnosis and moved on. Working in the military, and later on for Philips. He got married to his lovely wife, and they raised a family. Nowadays, they have 2 little rug rats that they pamper and take care of on a daily basis. There's another one on the way! and he's really looking forward to meeting this new baby.

Cancer of the liver hit him in the face. They said he was to go home and prepare his death. What a shock.. nobody wants to hear those words!! He was devastated and so was his family. Why??? What had he done to deserve this? Nothing.. He is a wonderful man, and both him and his wife welcomed many children into their home. Children that needed foster parents. Children from abroad, that were desperately seeking some personal attention and the warmth of a loving home. So they took care of these children for many years. He's also very active in helping young children with diabetes. He knows what it's like, because he's been there. They adore him!

A second opinion was asked in another hospital. He found the courage to move on. For the third time in a row, he's on chemo therapy. It ruins all the good things in his body as well. He doesn't feel sick at all and he looks real good. If you wouldn't know he was dying from cancer, you certainly wouldn't tell from his looks.

How much time is left, to enjoy this friendship? What things need to be said? He's preparing his own funeral and trying to prevent his family from falling apart. His favorite dog is sick too.. I believe the dog is going to join him to the other world. It comforts me in some way, that he won't have to go alone. He has lost many friends because of this horrendous disease. Is it a comfort to him, that they will be reunited?

Whenever I get the chance to visit him, I do. He's a wise man and he can teach me many things about life. I like to listen to him and we can talk about most anything. He's calm and his death doesn't scare me. Of course I would prefer him to remain in this world, but he'll never be totally gone. Because he's in the heart of many people.. It's okay to talk about death. Because there is no life without it. It's part of the cycle.

Dear friend, I think of you quite often. I hope your life in the other world, will be as fulfilling as the life over here. It was an honor to get to know you. I wish you all the best.. but don't go yet. Not just yet..