One of my best friends is dying and in hospice. We had the chance to visit with Craig and his wife Gwenn this past weekend so we could say our goodbyes and share well over 50 years of wonderful, sad, funny, and crazy stories from our past. I lived with Craig and a few other friends in a large house in the town where I was a police officer. Needless to say, those years we spent together in the late 1970’s and into the early 1980’s were just incredible. Parties, “impromptu” get togethers, laughing literally 24/7 and enjoying each other’s company as “wild and crazy” 20-somethings is something I’ll never, ever forget.

Craig was also in a wonderful band called “Elysian Fields” and we all would spend hours in the upstairs studio listening to them practice while partying, singing, dancing, and enjoying our lives. We would then follow the band around to the different venues where they would play and start the fun all over again. I make the joke that during those years we all did things that can’t yet be discussed as “the statute of limitations” isn’t quite up yet! Craig once owned a souped-up Corvette that had a fairly loud exhaust system and would very often pull into the driveway late at night, put the car in park and fall asleep. My bedroom was on the driveway side of the house and I knew that if he didn’t shut the car off after about 30 seconds, I would have to go outside (rain, cold, snow or whatever), open the car door, reach in, turn the car off, then wake him up to come inside. Conservative estimates as to how many times I did this range in the dozens…but I didn’t mind one bit, he was one of my best friends.

Sitting with Craig this weekend listening to his decision-making processes not to continue the 3-times a week, physically and mentally crushing dialysis procedures was hard to do. Besides the myriad of other physical issues Craig suffers from, the dialysis treatments were the ones that ravaged his body. Although necessary for continued proper renal function, he had had enough. He is ready to go and be home with the Lord that he loves. Hearing him speak firmly and resolutely about how he is mentally and emotionally preparing to pass is a story that legends are made of. I was in absolute awe, admiration and astonishment sitting slack jawed as he calmly talked about dying. I had and have such a reverence and love for him while hearing all of this that as I write, the tears just come. These words are difficult to write.

There was another angel at the table, and that was Craig’s wife Gwenn. They have been married for 30 years and she has stood by his side through all his illnesses and hardships and has not once, and I mean not once ever complained with a single word. Also listening to her speak of her own processes during this time was awe-inspiring. Over so many years, she gave all she had while dealing with and managing Craig’s infirmities and diseases. Gwenn also has another family from a first marriage who she loves so very dearly and she imparted to us how this situation has impacted them in their love for Craig. Herself, being a hospice care nurse in a large city hospital, Gwenn is a very, very special kind of human being…one who only comes along once in a lifetime and Craig and she were blessed enough to come together and give each other the gifts of their undying love for one another. Their story is one of love, gratitude, faithfulness, spirituality, and family. And, I am so very, very fortunate to be a part of their lives.

Craig has given to me a gift that no amount of money could ever purchase. He gave me the gift of understanding that life, while short and fleeting, is so very precious and is to be cherished moment by moment. That gratitude for everything in life should constantly be in the forefront of our waking consciousness. The last 24 hours have given me so much to think about, pray about and hopefully come to my own conclusions that would make Craig a proud friend. While this blog entry is certainly not about me, I will soon make my own decisions as to how I carry on with the rest of my life. Craig has given me this wonderful, priceless gift and I will treasure it for the rest of my days. Thank you, my good friend…I will love you always.

With this, I am saying goodbye. But, just for a while. We will once again see each other but in a much, much better place. We will be together again and will party, dance, and laugh with our precious Lord Jesus. To watch Craig, hold steadfastly to his faith, creates in me a larger place to nurture my own spirituality. His inspiration is something I will always have and I’ve realized that friends such as Craig only come along once in a lifetime.

So, until we see each other again my good buddy…and until I get there, I know you’ll be able to find someone else to help you out of that darned car and back into the house!

You, my dear friend…will be greatly missed.

Mark (former housemate) on the left, Craig and me…