Here's to you Jeff

Today a friend of mine from a long time ago is being buried.  He died suddenly last week while coming home from a buying trip for his store.  He was only 43.

I've known Jeff more than half my life; since I was 16 and started dating one of his best friends.  When M and I broke up after 9 years of dating, I really didn't see much of the old gang anymore, occasionally running into them here and there in the area.  But I did happen to run back into Jeff when DH and I went shopping at his store 2 years ago, while looking for armed forces flags that DH was going to use as part of his float for our town's July 4th parade.  Jeff owned an army surplus store, and was kind enough to donate the flags to us for the float.  I remember how excited he was knowing that all branches of the military were going to be honored and represented on that July 4th.  I never forgot his kindness.

The shock I felt last week when a friend of mine called to tell me that Jeff had passed away was overwhelming.  He was only 3 years older than I.  How could someone so full of life be gone now?  He was young!

While I understand that people die at all ages, I have been fortunate enough to not have had anyone around my age die.  And while I have experienced too much death in the past 14 months; 5 family members, and now this friend, Jeff dying is almost more of a shock than some of those older family members. 

Jeff will be memorialized today, and friends will grieve.  I will remember his easy going laugh, his quick smile and sense of humor that was just a bit naughty.  He will be missed by many.   And while I'm unable to attend his funeral mass because my 9 year old son is home sick with a cold, I will think about Jeff as I work on my knitting, saying a form of prayer with each stitch for the fun memories I have of him.