Trapeze Swinger

There's a song I heard while watching the movie Good Company called the Trapeze Swinger. The song had a profound impact on me so after the movie I went to my computer to search iTunes and I immediately downloaded the song. It's simple and honest and the words weave an ethereal mental picture that is compelling and poignant. I never seem to tire of the ballad. Just listening somehow knocks my left brain out of gear which gives my acquiescent right brain an chance to get a thought in edge-wise.
While listening I glanced up on my old roll-top desk at the many photographs that live there and saw a picture of Jilda, our friend Kaye and her deceased husband Ron and my friend/brother Steve. Steve and Ron were blood brothers. We were at the beach enjoying a magical day that involved incredible seafood, guitars, heartfelt renditions of our favorite songs and I'm sure a great deal of wine.
Looking at the picture always puts a smile on my face but it also makes me feel a little heartsick too. Ron died way too soon. He was younger than I am now. He had a heart condition similar to the one that took Lewis Grizzard's life. He had done well with his work but he could not get insurance because of the pre-existing heart condition. He was in the hospital when he died, but I believe that it was the lack of insurance that ultimately took his life. The death certificate says a blood clot but there's more to the story than will fit in the small space on the official record.
I refuse to allow myself to get upset tonight...but as I listen to the Trapeze Swinger and look at the pictures of the people I love, I find myself asking if we as a country are paying attention to the things that are most dear to us.