DAMN this is what happens

[Racket_Man]

when you lose contact with people.

I had a good friend D from childhood that I lost contact with after I moved away from my home town. I did hang around his youngest brother for while and I kept in sort of contact with YB. Then shit hit the fan in 2000 and YB was sent to prison (reasons) AND I had lots of crap going on in my life for next 5 or 6 years or so but I kept in contact with YB in prison.

After my marriage fell apart and the divorce started/ended and all of the crap surrounding it I stopped writing YB in prison because I had lots of shit going on.

Fast forward to 2010 before my Mom passed away. D and I talked on the phone a few times and when Mom passed I got ahold of D to let him know about Mom. We hung out the night before the funeral service and I really wanted to keep in contact BUT life got in the way as this was right before GF got sick (she passed 5 years later as in a year ago) and I became a full time caregiver. During this time I really wanted to reconnect with D but stuff happened.

SO now fast forward to today I finally decided to call D. Well I called and his wife picked up. I told her who I was and she dropped a bomb on me -- D was killed in a car crash 4 years ago (no one is sure exactly what happened)

She also told me that YB had been released from prison (early by 4 - 6 years he was supposed to have an 18 - 20 year sentence) it seems but had no information on YB or his where-a-bouts or contact info.

DAMN DAMN DAMN opportunity lost and something I will never get back.

[Pixelated]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I've lost track of friends as well, including one who had MS. Whether she's even still alive is anybody's guess. You really wish you could go back a couple of years and tell your younger self to get on the ball.

[RootedPhoenix]

*hugs Racket_Man*

[Food Lady]

I'm sorry to hear about this. I understand about life getting in the way, though. I think it's just impossible to keep up with everyone you've known. I hope you don't beat yourself up over it. You've done the best you could in your circumstances.

[Racket_Man]

I hit me a little more than I thought it would as the first annivercery of my GF passing away is coming up next week.

AND

I realized (I looked up his Obituary after I called) that I literally talked to friend's wife on the 3d annivercery of his death. I REALLLY felt bad that I called on that day although in my defense I did not know this when I called.