JohnCrow, sorry for the grief you must be feeling. You really have been through a lot.

Your friend followed his path to the end, lived out life for as long as possible to see where the end would take them. I have a lot of respect for that persistence. Leaving early is like leaving a movie before the ending. We don't know how it turned out.

So many people look to us for inspiration, so many people follow the example of our life. To do less than going on until the natural end of the road lets down those who look up to us.

Hope you will see the next year as a time for grieving and healing. You already have entered my world. I am hoping for your bouncing back.