Bon Voyage

Craig (left), Easter Bunny, and me

Sometimes I feel like composing an entry into this blog but I don't know quite what to write: a desire without a subject. Not so this time. 

A few days before Easter a friend told me that a long-ago mutual pal of ours, Craig, was on his death bed, literally. He was in the hospital suffering from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, or ARDS. The hospital is about a 20 minute drive for me. I discovered that he has been in a medically induced coma for about two weeks while doctors were trying to figure out how to generate some kind of recovery for him. 

Craig and I were friends back in the day, like for a ten year stretch beginning about 50 years ago and ending when he left for Colorado in the mid 70s. I ran into him in a grocery store parking lot about 30 years ago where we chatted for about 10 minutes. Then we ran into each other at a friend's wedding about a decade ago where we again gabbed briefly. Up until the last few days, I had not seen him since. 

On Easter Sunday afternoon I decided I would visit Craig's hospital room. I knew that he would not be conscious but I was told that usually his long-time lady friend, Sue, was there in his room. Sure enough, she was there when I stopped in. I gave her a photo of Craig and myself that was taken, coincidentally, around Easter, Easter time 45 years ago. She was very emotional and greatly appreciated it. The picture was of Craig and myself sitting on the lap of a young lady in a department store Easter bunny costume. Two 20 year-old guys having a little fun many many years ago. 

Earlier today Sue called me and told me that Craig's health was failing and that it had been decided that he should be taken off life support. He would be allowed to pass away naturally. Craig was to be taken off life support this evening at 7:30. Sue told me that if I wanted to be there to say good bye to him, I was more than welcome. 

I am not the kind of guy who goes for that kind of thing: a sort of spiritual farewell. But I thought that Sue might be alone and might want some emotional support. As it turned out, there were a couple of dozen friends and family members there in the small hospital room. I stayed anyway.

Craig went off life support and maintained a pulse for about 20 minutes before expiring at 7:50 this evening. I was not emotional about it. I shed no tears. But later this evening I have on occasion gazed upon that long-ago photo of my old friend and me that I saved on my smartphone. Two young guys, one of them dying earlier this evening, the other one right there to bid bon voyage. The whole ordeal has given me a feeling that is sad, heartwarming, and just a little surreal, all at once. The shot of bourbon didn't hurt, either.