I just got email from my childhood best friend. Beth and I were inseparable from ages 3-18. Life took us in different directions, but we've always managed to stay in touch.

Her brother died a couple of years ago at age 42. I never found out exactly what happened, but he had a serious alcohol problem and a number of DUI's and I suspect that had something to do with it.

Beth just wrote to say that Allyn's widow died yesterday of a heart attack. She was 44. Michelle and Allyn had been together since Beth and I were in junior high (they were 4 years older than we were). I knew Michelle's younger brother and sister very well also.

It is hard to confront the mortality of people your own age (I'm 41). Michelle and Allyn didn't have kids, at least, but it's still hard to lose people you grew up with and expected to have around for another 40 years. One of my BILs died this summer; he and my sister had been together since I was in about 6th grade (my sibs are all much older than me). I feel like the only good things about my past are all slipping away in a hurry.



Candy