As we grow older, the loss of a close friend is like the loss of a limb.
It always hurts to lose someone you are close with but when we're younger, our recovery is inevitable.
As we get older, the recovery gradually takes longer and longer and then we find that somehow we don't quite recover.
The hole it leaves is too enormous and we don't have enough remaining time to ever forget or attempt to replace that person.
The truth is we never replace anyone.....we just learn to cope with their absence and others help keep our mind off of it.
Everyday I think of my buddy Jay Harris....every single day........I loved him and miss him dearly........it hurts when I think of him.
I want to hug myself tight to fight back the tears.......it's a sadness that lingers and doesn't go away.
When I was a young man, a older friend of mine told me something I willingly pass along to you. At first hearing, I jokingly scoffed
at what he told me.....I was 27 yrs old and Richard was 46 yrs old.......I told him that doesn't apply to me as I ticked off the names......
Here's what he said........When one of God's angels arrives, he will ask you to hold up your two hands,
For every thumb & finger, you will be asked to name a close friend.....ten digits so ergo ten close friends.
I laughed and recited the names of two dozen fraternity brothers and rattled a dozen guys from my neighborhood.
He stopped me and reminded me he was asking for friends, not acquaintences, or pals or buddies.
Did I know the difference.....had I lived long enuf and experienced life sufficiently to appreciate that there is one.
He told me that day he had 6 empty fingers......4 people that were not his relatives......people he would die for and likewise.
The true bond of friendship knows no limits........Here's my pledge to my friends and in turn theirs back to me......,
"Any Time, Any Place, Any Thing"
When we forge that special bond, nothing can break it......it will endure any test or trouble......it's for life.
So when we lose someone like that, it genuinely becomes a devestating experience that buckles our knees.
And we know we'll never be able to replace that person and everyday it's like we lost a limb and are trying to cope.
May everyone that knew Conrad Burkman take a moment to reflect and then celebrate the great person they knew him to be.
Matt B.
