dumb a-- award

Some people never learn. My best friend that I grew up with died 4 tears ago. He spent the last 15-20 years of his life a junkie and was in and out of prison. I quit contacting him about 20 years ago after he began breaking into his old friends houses and ripping them off when they were gone. It's really tough to see someone you know and like so well turn into a completely different person. Hopefully your friend will see the light.

Some people just dont appreciate what they have been given. Let me tell you about a guy that is in sharp contrast to those above, who very much appreciated what he was given. This might take a few lines, so bear with me. Jeff was a swimming buddy of mine. All around good guy, executive, weekend lobsterman, triathlete, swimmer, but paramount to all that, husband, father and devout Christian. Everybody loved Jeff. He was always friendly, upbeat, encouraging, inspirational. Jeff made you feel great about yourself, challenged you to do things you didnt think you had it in you to do. Two years ago he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. That only made Jeff become more of the man he already was. He adopted the motto "Never Give In" which came to adorn bracelets and T-shirts and Sweatshirts seen around the two pools he frequented. He fought on through his treatments, still the positive, upbeat, inspiration he had always been, even more-so. His already strong faith became a huge part of his life and let him come to terms with his fate. But he never gave in. A month before he left us, he entered a swim meet, an 800 meter freestyle, a grueling event for even the healthiest of swimmers. A week before we lost him, I saw him at his son's swim meet. Still smiling, still upbeat, Never give in. We lost Jeff about a week ago. His lovely and strong wife shared the last two years of his life, right down to the last days and hours on the Caringbridge website. Jeffs Caringbridge website (a site set up for victims and friends to exchange status, messages and well wishes) had over 20,000 hits and over 1000 well wishes. They all said the same thing: He was an inspiration, he was a friend, he made me a better person. Through his final days, his wife reported how he often repeated how blessed he was by God for his family, his friends and his life.

Larry: thanks for that great story; prayers certainly for family and friends

Eric: I remember when you first mentioned this friend; too bad for everyone, I would hope someday he will know that "God doesn't make any trash" as a good friend just mentioned to me today.

Chuck

its hard for all of us to keep balanced and he has seemed to have lost that balancing point, i truly thought the last time that he was in this predicament a light woudlve come on, he is like a brother to me and if anyone has ever been exposed to this type of person you know there is nothing in this world you can do, the help has to come from within himself and i hope he seeks this help, it does make me hurt to see what he and his family is going thru..