I'm going to my best friend's funeral today ....

[MichaelOM]

He was very worried about MY future, and now this. The morning after I heard, I was a little surprised to wake up in the same old skin and bones. It was a new-ish feeling ~ the first morning I did wake up and he didn't in 55 years. And I thought ... We all just get this one suit of skin and bones and after they finish blooming, they immediately begin to wear out and break down, each at different ages and for different reasons. But I think my friend would be encouraging me to appreciate and enjoy mine now while I still have it, in spite of all it's failings. I will try.

[Hidden]

The older I get the more I realize the "carton" I live in is temporary but I have everlasting life.

When I look in the mirror I wonder who that old lady is. I'm not ageing as fast as my "carton''

[Jupeter in reply to Hidden]

Amen to that!

I remember looking in the mirror one day to find my father looking back at me!! Quite a shock since I never thought I was as old as he was. Even with the P condition, I am still only 50ish on the inside - but 75 on the outside.

Is this what "thinking outside the box" is all about?

Michael has the right attitude. None of us can predict how long we have, so we must get on with our lives as best we can.

[jillannf6]

hi sorry abou tour friend's dying

but we do have this life to lead as best we can

and u and di see that

as do i

love jill

[DeParkiePoet]

My sincere sympathies to you and his family. It is very difficult to lose someone so close to you, I know. We just have to celebrate their lives as much aas possible, as we do our own. At first reading I thought that you were talking about losing your old self and waking up renewed...

[SAMOCT23]

Sorry for your loss; I lost my best friend of over 30 years in 2007, to cancer; oh how I still miss her! It is true that none of us knows how long we have; and must make the best of wherever we are; I never figured on being 60,which I am chronologically speaking, and be diagnosed with moderate ulcerative colitis; but it hit me like a ton of bricks out of the blue (last year in March), sure glad it wasn't colon cancer, which is what I feared it was. I had figured on taking care of my husband of 41 years who has Parkinson's(diagnosed 2007); now I have extra hard challenges to do that, but doing best I can, which is all we can ask of ourselves. It's really hard seeing my husband "a macho kinda guy", with this disease; which has robbed us of what we thought our "old age" together was going to be. Just try to count our blessings I say, and enjoy what God still lets us have in our life, and not focus on what we don't have, but on what we do have, cause there is always someone who has it worse.

[tlongmire in reply to SAMOCT23]

Yes, there is always someone who has it worse. We do need to be grateful for each day we are given.

[Hidden]

Hi ,

I am deeply sorry for your loss. my best friend died last may on his birthday his name is Francis mcguigan and was a fantastic entertainer , frank was 35 when he died on his birthday, you can here him on youtube francis mcguigan RIP, he was a star and a great entrtaine always had a smile and a song in his heart visit his youtube tribute, it will lift your sole and make you feel a bit better

take care

\Al

[Hidden]

Hi ,

You can also see frank on youtube as his stage name Savage. just befor he died we put on a concert which raised more than £20,000.00 my radio station sponcerd the event and i personaly donated £10,000. for cancer researc you can see a small pice of the vd on youtube savage live at chapmans, please visit and see my best friend preform, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\francis was a show man and raised lots of cash for charity, i miss him and wish you all could have at least heard him sing he was an insparation to all and lived his life to the full,

he fell one day and hurt his head and within 18 mts he died , he never wanted any one to pitty him and went out the way he wanted full on and mad for it at true rocker#RIP My Friend Frank

[Hidden]

Beautiful tribute al, fabulous voice, seemed like a great character xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks,

He was A great person, i still miss him and i listen to his music every day

AL

[Court]

I appreciate exactly how you feel. I also lost my cousin and best friend to Parkinsons nearly a year ago. Although in her case it was a blessing, it was still a shock and we still miss her so much. She was a young diagnosis and fought all the way. She has taught me so much about coping with my own diagnosis. I live each day in memory of her and her family. She never gave up and was the bravest person I have ever known. I will fight on in memory of you Hilary. You were an inspiration to us all.

Sorry to go on a bit, but you sometimes need to say what you feel. You cannot put on a smiley face all the time.

My young grandaughter is asleep in bed. She usually wakes early. She and her cousin are my future and give me a reason to take each day as it comes.

I hope you will find some consolation in having been part of your friend's life.

[Hidden in reply to Court]

Grandchildren are truly a wonderful encouragement to work on being as healthy as we can.

[JAYNIE]

I have lost 3 very close friernds and family in the past 2 weeks.....I wake up every day and I do the most I can and without guilts . I have earned the days I can sit and play cards etc. It keeps my mind going..... I enjoy each and everyday to the fullest. I also take my dog to the park every single afternoon.

I am so sorry about your friend, but like you said, he would want you to also enjoy each and everyday, and keep smiling.... I really do not care anymore about my outside.............I can't see it unless I look in a mirror, which I try to avoid as much as possible, and in that way, I think I look just like I did about 10 years ago. ok, who am I fooling ?? only me....... <grin>

[Hidden]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I like how you described the process of life

with this skin and these bones.

Here's a little poem for you.

Wearing out and breaking down,

'til all we think is "Heaven bound".

A longing to be free from pain,

A life well lived, but in death is gain.

Up until that time draws near,

i'll do my best while living here.

This suit of skin and bones will stay,

'Til so worn out will all fall away.

Then, my spirit, free, will fly and rise,

Up to meet my Lord in Paradise.

No pain, No tears, and no disease,

Only joy and love, unending peace.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[MichaelOM in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much, Tonya. Lovely.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Philippians 1:21

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

[ram927]

I look at each day as a special time and always try to live it to it fullest Use every minute and waste none And not feel sorry for yourself and tell others the same Play the cards I;m dealt and LIVE for the now. Yesterday is the past and tomorrow is the future Today is now

[MichaelOM]

Thank you all for your input and support. The services were more celebratory than sad, which was a fitting tribute to my friend.

[Parki]

So sorry about your life long friend. You were both so lucky to have each other.

You have a great attitude and I thank you for sharing.