Sad news

I just got a message on facebook from a friend back home.  One of our classmates passed away this morning.  He was such a good friend through junior high and high school.  I am thinking of so many fun memories right now.
 
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When I first read the news it tugged at my heart and my eyes started to tear up.  Strange.  We wrote to each other for a couple of years out of high school, but then over time lost touch.  He moved back to our home town, but I don't have any family left there any more.  I still feel an incredible loss even though we haven't spoken in many years.
 
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I didn't go to my 30th reunion summer of 2008.  I didn't feel well.  Dang it.  Dang it.  And, dang it to this stupid illness for keeping me from seeing my old friends.
 
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I'll try to keep remembering the laughter.  And, how it felt to be young and free.
 
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My friend will let me know the cause of death, etc. as soon as she gets more information.   His father committed suicide when we were about 16.  I remember I didn't know what to say to him.  How to act.   It was a good lesson for me on how something like that affects family.
 
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It's strange how much I miss him right now.
 
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carry on.