One of my first cousins, Robby Watson, died this week and the viewing was tonight. He'd been ill for several years.
We were inseparable growing up. I was fairly cautious as a kid, but he was a risk taker. Once when we went swimming, he dove off a bluff that was 40 feet off the water. I was standing next to him and held my breath when his feet left the ledge. It seemed to take forever for him to hit the water.
His head popped up a moment later, and urged me to dive too. That day it was a little to risky for me, and I remember him chiding me as I made my way down the bluff. "Come up you big baby." That was Robby.
Sometimes families who grew up together, grow apart, and this was the case with Robby and me. I haven't seen him in years, even though he lived not far from where we grew up. I didn't realize he'd been sick until tonight.
Sitting there in the pews I felt bad that I hadn't made the effort to keep in touch.
On the way out of the funeral home, the sky to the west was unbelievably beautiful. I reached into my pocket for my camera, and snapped this picture.
Rest in peace Robby.
We were inseparable growing up. I was fairly cautious as a kid, but he was a risk taker. Once when we went swimming, he dove off a bluff that was 40 feet off the water. I was standing next to him and held my breath when his feet left the ledge. It seemed to take forever for him to hit the water.
His head popped up a moment later, and urged me to dive too. That day it was a little to risky for me, and I remember him chiding me as I made my way down the bluff. "Come up you big baby." That was Robby.
Sometimes families who grew up together, grow apart, and this was the case with Robby and me. I haven't seen him in years, even though he lived not far from where we grew up. I didn't realize he'd been sick until tonight.
Sitting there in the pews I felt bad that I hadn't made the effort to keep in touch.
On the way out of the funeral home, the sky to the west was unbelievably beautiful. I reached into my pocket for my camera, and snapped this picture.
Rest in peace Robby.
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| Evening light |
So sorry for your loss, Rick--Robby's just taking this last adventure before you!!
ReplyDeleteIt's never fun seeing an old time friend leaving permanently like that even though you grew apart as you got older. I'm sure you both had different approach to life. Sorry for your loss Rick.
ReplyDeleteJB
I too am hoping Robby has smoothe sailing thru that beautiful sky.
ReplyDeleteMy family is not close. I just made contact with a cousin I have never met. I like him. Every funeral I say, I am going to stay in touch with these guys, but I don't. I am convinced it is in someone's nature to stay close or just always be available if needed. I seem to fall in the last category. But I wish I was not.
But I know it is a loss, whether you were close now or not. BUT WE ARE Living Life, and life is like that.
My sincere condolences, Rick. The memory you relate is full of life and feeling. A sequence shared in its own present moment, like a poem.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever noticed that the ones who live life to its fullest are the ones destined to have shorter lives? It seems as if somehow they are predisposed to trying to cram everything into the time they have. My condolences to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteYour post is a good reminder to keep in touch with family and friends because we never know what's going to happen. Sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThose of us who are older know how true it is that families as we knew them in our youth do grow apart, but new relationships and ideas of family grow as well...like what you have with Jordan now...live in the moment and enjoy the now! The important thing is not to forget the past and not to have regrets, just to hold dear what was and is!
ReplyDeleteYes I know how you feel.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I managed to see my aunt before she died.
Our families are all spread out.
From my side every one is in the US.
Even being close you always think aw tomorrow.
You get caught up in your own life and so it goes.
Sorry for your loss.
xoxoxoxo
It is terrible when we grow apart from our family, growing up I was close to my cousins but haven't seen them in years................sorry for your loss
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. Many friends and family members, no matter how close at one time tend to drift. It's just the way life goes sometimes. Robby had a beauty sunset to see him on his journey.
ReplyDelete