In search of serenity

“Yesterday is history,
tomorrow’s a mystery.
Today is a gift -
that’s why they call it the present.”

I was first told the above phrase by a friend of mine, the same friend who called me today with some grim news. A mutual friend of ours died last night of an overdose. The paramedics tried to revive him but were unsuccessful.

I hadn’t talked to him in quite awhile (unfortunate, since he lives less than a mile from me), so I contacted him last night and asked if he wanted to get together.   He said that he wanted to, but had some plans that might fall though, and would give me a call later.  I texted him at 6:30pm last night to see what he was up to.  He said his plans fell through, but he had some unexpected visitors. No problem – we decided to raincheck it.

I just got the call tonight a little after 8:00pm. He had a lot of issues with depression, which caused him to use, which got him into trouble, which contributed to his low self-worth.  It was a vicious cycle.   I guess I always hoped and assumed that he would eventually pull through.

It is a sureal feeling to talk to someone and then find out they are gone the next day.   Rest in peace, good friend.

December 6th, 2008  People   Tags: addiction, death, friends, sad, more...

Rest in Peace, Wendy D. Fiala

Wanda and I were out of town last week to attend the funeral of her mother, Wendy. She was 55 years old and a strong, independent woman. She pursued many hobbies in her life (painting, motorcycles, bargains, taxidermy, and traveling) and most important to her was being a mother.

It was surreal, as we had attended the funeral of her father less than two years ago. Though she had been suffering both physically and emotionally since the death of her husband, her passing was still a shock. They will both rest next to each other at a cemetery in Emery, WI.

If someone you love is depressed, please be supportive, be kind, be patient, listen to them, and be understanding. This is the time in there life they need you the most. Sometimes a phone call can make all the difference.

Please wish Wanda and her family all of the best during this difficult times in their lives.

May 15th, 2008  Family & Friends   Tags: family, funeral, sad, wendy, more...

Rest in Peace, William D. Fiala

Wanda and I had been out of town for this past week to attend the funeral of her father, Bill Fiala. It was one of the most difficult funerals I’ve attended. He was truly a noble man with a heart of gold. We will miss him greatly. We laid him to rest on Friday, August 4th.

On a side note, if someone you love is depressed, please be supportive, be kind, be patient, listen to them, and be understanding. This is the time in their life they need you the most.

August 9th, 2006  Family & Friends   Tags: family, funeral, sad, more...