On Death and Dying


Dad died last month.  We were blindsided by this, he was so vibrant and alive.  He was supposed to live into old age and be that cranky old man that complained about everything.  He was looking forward to leaving on a 3 week adventure through the Northwest Territories by canoe with a group of photographers.  He lived his life out loud and touched so many people, wringing it out to the end.  His last evening was spent taking pictures at a cowboy chuck wagon/music/poetry event in the foothills.  His life was full and well lived.


Flint (Kyle) took his life last week, once again we were blindsided.   His life was still ahead of him with so much promise. He was supposed to grow up, enjoy life, have a family and bring his kids around to visit.  He did well in school, played sports and had great friends.  He recently received his passport and was looking forward to traveling to the Lasertag International tournament in Brisbane.  He was one of our "kids" at our lasertag center, we watched him grow up and among so may others were so proud of the young man that he was becoming.

The differences here are striking, but the loss is the same.  Death affects everyone, no one escapes it and we all suffer in it's aftermath but I have to say that the loss of someone so young and with so much potential is truly devastating.  The questions of why will haunt those around him forever and the mystery of who he was becoming will never be solved.

When I think of dad, it is bittersweet with sadness and good memories but when I think of Flint, I am sad and angry.  Angry at the waste of an amazing life and angry at the pain caused to people who I love, pain that could have been avoided.

Hug your children.

Hug your friends.



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