THE DEATH OF TWO OF MY BEST friends this past month challenged me as a humorist and thoughtful friend. Family and friends, including me, have shed countless tears as we began to come to terms with their passing. I was more than sad as I dealt with the news.
I’m reaching out to humorists who have gone before me to see if I can benefit from their wisdom in approaching this rather emotional time. A good start was shifting from my friends’ deaths where I began to embrace the mindset that we were celebrating their lives.
This seems to soften the blow just a bit.
I first ventured to Benjamin Franklin, our famous inventor, pamphleteer, and radical early statesman who quipped, “In this world, nothing can be certain, except death and taxes.” After all, it is April and the forms, rules, and instructions from the IRS have driven me nuts for the last sixty years. I used this contemplation to wonder if my deceased friends are still worried about their taxes. It made me smile.
I then moved on to Will Rogers for further inputs to lighten the burden and chose one of his reflections on dying. “When I die, I want to go like my grandfather who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car.”
The final humorist in this assemblage is the beloved realist, Mark Twain. He states a belief that seems very appropriate to my situation. “Both marriage and death ought to be welcome: the one promises happiness, doubtless the other assures it.”
So, my little missive nears its completion and these famous humorists have helped me in dealing with Dick and Tim’s deaths.
You both will be missed. I’m certain that our paths will cross again. Please check out the best watering holes and welcome me with open arms when it's my turn.
I’m a good putter, I’m a good putter, I’m a good putter.
Your forever friend,
Bob Adams