Goodbye to a Friend

Goodbye to a Friend

(WTF?)

Your mom called me today. Imagine my confusion as your mother never has called me before.

WTF?

I first met you during a terrible struggle in your life. Alcohol addiction was tough, so was the gambling addiction, but you beat it. I remember every year you went for another sobriety coin. I never went to a ceremony and I’m ashamed now that I didn’t.

WTF?

I worked with you as you progressed up the ladder in the financial services industry. I remember you telling me when I helped you start that job that almost doubled your salary, “They really pay us this?”

WTF?

Over the years we spoke or saw each other weekly. After you finally met someone our get togethers became more infrequent. I understood and was happy for you that you had found someone. I remember you being so excited about getting married and “Having all that good loving waiting for you when you get home” as you used to tell me.

WTF?

You quit calling about a year ago. I called a few times and sent some emails. You never answered. I wrote it off as busy with life, the wife, a new job, etc. You called finally and told me your wife was pregnant and due in the summer. I was ecstatic for you. When I asked if you wanted to get together and celebrate you begged off stating that you were too busy. I joked and told you that would teach you to start a family.

WTF?

My last email to you was at the end of September 2009. I asked how things were, what was up with the baby? You finally called me a week or so later and told me you had a baby girl. We talked about getting together but we both said we were busy and maybe later. We never called each other back.

WTF?

But back to the beginning. Your Mom called me today to tell me you killed yourself and left a note for her to call me. WTF man! I've known you for 15 years! Why didn’t you tell me you were hurting! Why didn’t I catch that something was wrong! WTF HAPPENED MIKE!