Good bye for now, my friend.

 Death does not pull it's punches. In the end, we all are headed through that gate. For some she comes swiftly, unexpectedly opening that door. For others, the tide comes in slowly, advancing, teasing, with time for reflection in uneasy waters. I am not afraid of death, although so many are. The dead have no need of our tears, however much we ourselves need them. Today I lost a friend who I knew better in 1990 than I have more recently. He was there for me then when I needed a friend, and I was there for him then too. I didn't make it to see him one last time. Maybe I regret that I didn't do the hard thing by visiting, although that would not have changed anything in the end. Tonight I light a candle to help light your way across the bridge. Rest well, my friend.