I had a long lunch today. Excellent you might think and picture me swanning off to the local pub with my work chums for “soup in a basket” and a pint of “Old Gnarly” frothy ale and a good slagging off of the managers.
But no. Today was different.
I went to the funeral of a good school friend who had suddenly died of an (unknown) heart condition.
Jon Warren was the kind of guy that everyone liked. Happy, funny, clever and really just a jolly nice bloke. I have to admit that the last time I saw Jon was about 18 years ago after we finished our A-Levels, left sixth form and started to find our way into the “real world” of work and university. That period is kind of a blank for me really. I have a real grey area about who went to which University and who did’nt. I kinda know why that grey area exists - but thats another story.
Needless to say, I never saw him after that point but his love for life, cars and skateboarding has left a stamp on my personality too. I will always be a “skater” and thats probably down to him! Tim, Jon and I spent many hours building skate ramps from stolen wood, board sliding the bench round the back of the house and then getting pissed at Tims mum and dads house. Times I will never forget.
From the stories people read out, it sounds like he had an excellent life and had achieved so much, influenced many and brought happiness to alot of people. I’m just kicking myself for not staying in touch with him!
It was also a time for me to be able to see some of the other school friends that I have not seen for a very long time. The good thing was that even though we have been apart for so long and our lives are so different, we were instantly back in character and still great friends.
Best wishes to Jon’s family, partner and friends during this terrible time.
And Jon, this is for you. It’s kind of apt I guess….
Well, it's not a giant lizard slaying robot and its not a new religion.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Tao,
I was so sorry to hear about your friends passing. I have lost two old friends, one to adult cot death and one to heart failure. You always think why didn’t I keep in touch more, why didn’t I tell him this or that. But as you know you can’t turn the clock back and it makes you think about who you should be keeping in touch with and who you shouldn’t be in touch with.
I hope you and your family are keeping well. I hope your Mother-in-Law is comfortable.
~ Wendy ~
Thanks Mrs Red Pikey. It certainly was a time for bringing old friends back together. And I will make sure we all stay in touch too.
Sorry to hear your tragic news Tao, when things like this happen it does make you sit back and reflect “If Only I had said” we all do it when someone is taken from us even if the person is not related.
Selfish though the thought may be “There but for the grace of him upstairs go any of us” - so spend it while you’ve got it!
I’ve just spent a lot of it and have now not got much of it - but I’m (relatively) happy with that
“Dream as if you’ll live forever.
Live as if you’ll die today”
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