I've been going somewhere for super bowl weekend with high school/college friends for 30+ years. 6 of us pretty much every year, and the other 2 sort of rotated in and out as they can. Just a weekend of golf, beer, and guys being guys. We went to Panama City this year. One of my buds went this year, even though he wasn't feeling well. He had strained his back/core a couple weeks ago, and was still sore. He was bummed that he wasn't going to be able to golf. We get there Thursday morning, and as the day progressed, he experienced more and more discomfort/trouble getting his breath. No sleep Thursday night. He stayed at the house Friday, and was finally able to find a position that let him sleep, and was better Friday night. Saturday was about the same, but he had more shortness of breath Sunday morning. Wouldn't let us take him to ER. He changed his flight from today to yesterday morning. He went to the doctor as soon as he got home yesterday, and they sent him to the hospital with pneumonia. Got some meds in him, and he was doing much better. I called his wife this morning after we landed in Nashville. She was sort of whispering, so i thought she was in the room with him and he was asleep. She said he opened his eyes suddenly this morning about 4:00, and then died, just like that. Friggin bloodclot. This hits me and the rest of our group really dang hard. He has been like a brother to me since 1982. I told the guys last night that Ken had already out-lived his dad. Ken was 51, with a wife and two kids. Lee Ann is 24, and Owen just turned 19. Please pray for comfort for all of his family. Life is short boys and girls, and way too short for others. Hug your family tonight, hug 'em tight. You never know. I just saw the announcement in the paper and it hit me hard. Broke down and cried like a baby. This is the first really close friend I've lost. Not good at all.
I've reached the point in life where I have started losing friends with a fair amount of regularity...your friend wasn't there yet - only 51 that's way too early. You're right...it's "Not good at all", and it does hurt. May your God grant you, and his family, peace and understanding. Bill
I am so sorry for your loss, my condolences. I lost my cousin about 7 years ago in the exact same way. She was sick and had pneumonia and died of a blood clot.
So sorry to hear this. Many good thoughts and prayers to everyone. The pain sucks. Plain and simple. I'm going through it now. Just be there for everyone and you'll all get through it together.
Seeing him in the casket this morning was even worse than I thought.... I've carried 4 grandparents, 3 aunts, 3 uncles, a cousin, and sister. Carrying him tomorrow is going to be harder than all but my sister.
