We are dropping like flies and it's not funny - The Star Beacon

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My children’s Nana was about my age when she started saying, “This could be my last __.”  Fill in the blank with Christmas, Mother’s Day, birthday, etc.

I used to think, “Oh brother!” but I didn’t say anything out of respect for our dear Nana.

Now the tide has turned and I say it to Dear Daughter, Handsome Son and Delightful Granddaughter — half to be funny with a fond memory of Nana and half serious.

Growing up nearly five years older than Sis, I have to admit sometimes I may have been a bit bossy or irritable. But then a funny thing happened. We grew up and became best friends.

Now we are approaching the other end of life and the view is different. We don’t talk about how one of us is going to die before the other. (I suspect it will be me because I’m older.) I can’t bear to think about her dying first. Yet the inevitable will happen. And the more family members of the older generation die — our parents, aunts and uncles — it means we are getting pushed to the front line!

It can be depressing and sad, especially when friends and classmates, you know, people my age die. Not in freak accidents, but from disease. 

Usually, I make a joke. You got to laugh so you don’t cry. 

“We are dropping like flies!” I say.

Then one of my very best friends calls me and says, “You were right! We are dropping like flies. I have cancer.”

Suddenly, I wanted to kick myself for being so glib. I was crushed. I cried. I couldn’t even make a joke. I didn’t write a column two weeks ago because nothing seemed funny. 

The idea of losing a dear friend really hurts my heart, in part because the friendship formed over a lifetime. 

These are people I have known since second grade, who share memories of our teachers — the good, the bad and the ugly. These are friends I laughed obnoxiously with in the cafeteria or walked with along the old cinder track at Jefferson Elementary School. I don’t have to explain so many life events to these friends because they were there. 

I’ve come to realize how short life really is, and I don’t like it.

Handsome Son asked me where I want to be buried. I caught Dear Daughter and Delightful Granddaughter perusing my jewelry box.

I have fallen and I couldn’t get up without help. 

I wear my underwear inside out.

I can’t see far away without my contacts. I can’t see close up without glasses. 

Doctor visits are steadily increasing while my ability to bend over without saying, ‘Excuse me,’ is steadily decreasing. 

A hearty laugh comes with some risk.

I’ll stop now because this could be my last column!

Staff writer Shelley Terry reminds faithful readers that every day and every friend is a gift from God. Enjoy both while you can because we are dropping like flies!

The Link Lonk


October 03, 2020 at 11:30AM
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We are dropping like flies and it's not funny - The Star Beacon

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Funny