Life Fucking Sucks

[EliSnow]

<p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">I need to vent someplace right now.&nbsp; A very close friend of mine who I grew up with in Minnesota died suddenly yesterday of some infection.&nbsp; He went into the hospital on Thursday night feeling ill, and detoriated rappidly such that between that time and 1 pm yesterday afternoon, his heart stopped 3-4 times, his organs began to fail, and he finally passed.&nbsp; When he died, my brother told me that he could barely recognize him.&nbsp; Right now, we have no idea exactly why he died, but my brother, who is a doctor, speculates that it was a severe infection and our friend couldn't fight it off as well because he lost his spleen 20 years ago.</font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="3">The guy was 36 years old, with three kids, the youngest of which was born 7 weeks ago.&nbsp;He was a popular teacher and coach at a school back home, and was well-liked by almost everyone I knew.&nbsp; And out of the fucking blue, he gets sick and dies in less than a&nbsp;day. </font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="3">I know life isn't fair, and I know that our existence is fragile.&nbsp; And I know that every day people face loved ones dying.&nbsp; I conceptually understand each of these fucking facts and cliches, and yet, right now, I can't deal with this shit.&nbsp;&nbsp;He had a new son, and it should be a fucking happy time, but because of this fucking crap shoot we call life, his kids don't have a father, and due to their age, the oldest probably won't remember his father when he grows up.&nbsp; And his wife who will need to greive the most, has three kids that she needs to raise by herself</font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="3">I haven't seen this friend more than 2-3 times a year since I moved to NYC&nbsp;10 years ago,&nbsp;and now I'll never seen him again.&nbsp;&nbsp;And I'm angry&nbsp;and I'm sad not only because I lost a friend, but I know that the rest of my family is just as devastated as I am, and I can't see them until tomorrow, when my wife and I fly out.&nbsp; </font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="3">And I'm trying to go on&nbsp;as normal for now, by posting about comics, trying to get some work done before I fly out, and the fact is that I can't do that.&nbsp; I'm sitting here crying at my desk, and I can't keep it in, and I just want to be with my wife and daughter, and the rest of my family.&nbsp; </font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="3">I'll talk to you guys later.&nbsp; I just need to get out of this office, and get home.&nbsp; </font></p>

[JimBeam]

<p>Sorry to hear.</p><p>I had a similar issue w/ a friend from college.</p><p>I went to school in Louisiana and met a freind of a friend who was from NJ.</p><p>We were roommates for a year before he graduated.</p><p>Actually he took 20 credits in the Fall of 1996 just so he could move back home by graduating in Dec.</p><p>I told him he should've taken a few in the fall and a few in the spreing so he could enjoy his last year.</p><p>He wanted to rush home because he was dating a girl that he was in love with.</p><p>Well he graduates, moves back to NJ, and then breaks up w/ the girl a month later.</p><p>We still stayed in touch over the phone and eventually he met another girl, got her pregnant, and then they got married.</p><p>He winds up getting these severe headached and finds out that he's got a brain tumor. They gave him anywhere between 6 months and 5 years to live.</p><p>He was going through so testing and seemed fine whenever I would talk to him.</p><p>I called him one time a few&nbsp;weeks or so before Christmas and he acted like he had no idea who I was. I thought he was messing aaround because he was always a wiseguy like that. His wife eventually got on the phone and asked me when the last time I spoke to him was. I told her a few months. She then tells me that he had gone down hill a lot since then ( wheelchair, weight loss, memory shot, etc ... ). Kinda took me by surprise. I get a call from her a few weeks after that&nbsp;Christmas and she tells me that he passed away a few days before Christmas. She hadnt called me sooner because she didnt wanna ruin my holidays.</p><p>Guy was 28 with a wife and kid only a year or so old and was dead.</p><p>Its wierd because still to this day there's jokes I rememebr from like movies or TV that I always asscoaue with him. Never can make those jokes again.</p><p>Goes to show you that you should always stay in touch with your close friends and family and spend as much time with them as pssoible.</p><p>I'm sure&nbsp;your friend's in a better place.</p>

[Badinia]

<p>Really, holy shit does not begin to cover it.</p><p>We are so lucky in so many ways as an industrialized, modern society that we forget how fragile we are and how life is not now, and has never been fair.&nbsp;&nbsp;You have my sincerest Internet condolences and&nbsp;sorrow for your friend's&nbsp;wife and family.&nbsp;</p>

[ChimneyFish]

<p><strong><em><font face="georgia,times new roman,times,serif" size="2">My condolences, Eli.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">Trust me, I know what it's like to have someone suddenly ripped out of your life.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">Hopefully his wife has a lot of people to support her right now.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">I wish you my best.</font></em></strong></p>

[booster11373]

<p>Sorry for your loss</p><p>I know it's a little hack but just remember the good times you had together. When you do that a person is never really gone.</p>

[Hottub]

<p>I am not normally one to be at a loss for words, but situations such as yours, it seems I can't help not coming off like a dork. Life is so damn fragile.</p><p>I can offer my condolences, thoughts and prayers. </p><p>Hottub (Jon)</p>

[suggums]

good luck eli, my e-condolences.&nbsp; <br />

[thepaulo]

<p>Life fucking sucks....</p><p>Life is a War...</p><p>Life is a test we will always fail...</p><p>Life is a joke...</p><p>Life is a setup....</p><p>Life is just the beginning then you die then you get to figure things out....</p><p>Live accordingly</p>

[FUNKMAN]

Sorry!

[Gvac]

<p>Wow.&nbsp; That's an incredibly sad story Eli and I can't say how sorry I am for your loss.&nbsp; Hang tough and be strong; his wife is going to need all the support you can give.&nbsp; </p><p>When death strikes suddenly and unexpectedly like this I'm always reminded of just how silly petty arguments and disagreements are. &nbsp; Imagine if what happened to Eli's buddy happened to a friend with whom you were feuding over something stupid.&nbsp; Life is far too short and uncertain.&nbsp; Don't waste precious time and energy being angry and miserable over things that are truly meaningless in the grand scheme of things.&nbsp; <br /></p>

[Bulldogcakes]

Sorry for your loss Eli, and I know exactly how you feel. My sister died a few years back at 37, two kids. And I still haven't sorted that out in my head. It really just doesn't make any sense, and probably never will. <br />

[INFOSTUD]

<p>EliSnow;</p><p>Sorry for your loss!!!&nbsp; All life all too often is unfair and cruel.&nbsp; My prayers are with you and your late friend's family.&nbsp;</p>

[Don Stugots]

Eli, I feel your pain, and I am sorry. If you need anyone to talk to, drop me a PM.

Letterman said it best "being here today doesnt guarentee being here tomorrow"

growing up my cousin (more like my brother) had a brain tumor and had 99% removed at the age of 6. the docs said that he wouldnt live passed the age of 12-15 due to his brain not being able to handle the change that his body would go through at puberity. he lived to be 25 and died at work one morning getting hit by a car in the parking lot cracking his head wide open, killing him instantly. the driver hit him, sped off and was never found. He lived life like he was going to die tomorrow. no regrets. he finished high school went to college, learn to drive had a girlfriend, had the tumor grow back, and lived with knowing that it would kill him at any moment. he was my best friend and life hasnet been the same since new years day 1999 when he died.

it happens, you cant make sence of it, only know that they are gone but not lost. they live on in our hearts and prayers. monday AM i am going to st.pats to lite a candle for you, your friend and your families. god speed bro.

[JohnnyCash]

Im really sorry to hear about your friend. One of my closest friends passed away suddenly last July. I know how it feels and it hurts. Im very sorry for your loss.&nbsp;

[Death Metal Moe]

Very sorry about your friend Eli.&nbsp; I know that some friendships are closer than family, I know a lot of mine are.&nbsp; I hope you can work through it and honor his memory in your mind and heart for the rest of your life.

[bones13]

Eli..I do understand...I had to hold my Aunt's hand as we buried my cousin(her only child)....she is also my godmother...no part of this will be easy...it stinks....and it will for a long time

[EliSnow]

<p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and words.&nbsp; I'm doing a little better today, but once we get to MN tonight, and do the funeral tomorrow, it will get bad again.</font></p>

[flavopop]

Hang in there ELi, My sincerest condolences!...

[Sheeplovr]

<p>Eli is my favorite poster </p><p>make him unsad </p>

[angelinad128]

<p>Eli,</p><p>My deepest sympathies.&nbsp; Just remember that every &amp; all&nbsp;feelings your having right now &amp; will have is correct. Let it out.</p>

[mendyweiss]

Always remember to tell your friends children what a good friend he was to you.

[ShelleBink]

I'm incredibly sorry for your loss. ((I just dont know what else to say))<br />

[curtoid]

<p>Really sorry Eli. Even though shit like this happens all the time, and to everyone, it never makes it one bit easier. I always equate the feeling to being underwater, where you can see the rest of the world going on, but you are helpless to be part of it. You see other people happy, or going about their day, and you want to scream because they don't understand what you (at that moment) truely understand - the loss is so personal, but at the same time you want it to be universal, so maybe that can be something to get you through.</p><p>The truth is, most everyone does get through. I know of a family friend whose wife died unexpectedly on Christmas even 15 years ago - three young boys forever without their mother, who with the love and strength and support of their father and their family, grew up to have a pretty good, solid life. </p><p>We don't know what's going to happen, and there's no way to change what has. In my experience, the best we can ever do is take these tragedies as a personal reminder to love those around us right now - to let them know, right now, how important they are in our lives. That can serve as a living tribute to your friendship with your buddy.&nbsp;</p>

[Furtherman]

<p>Shit like this is more common than not, I'm just finding out myself.</p><p>Yesterday I found out a friend from high school went to the doctor last week with a cold and is now in the hospital awaiting a heart transplant.&nbsp; I can't imagine what his wife and kid are going through.</p><p>Sorry for your loss, hang in there.</p>

[EliSnow]

<p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Again, thanks to everyone for their thoughts.&nbsp; I'm back in NYC tonight, having attended the funeral yesterday.&nbsp; Very, very tough day.&nbsp; My friend was truly loved by a lot of people.&nbsp; He was a teacher/coach at a high school back home, and he clealy had an impact on people all over. It was just a very emotional day, and as a result, our group of friends got drunk telling stories about him all day and night.&nbsp; </font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="3">We found out that he died from a staph (?) infection.&nbsp; Normally, it wouldn't have killed him, but because he lost his spleen about 25 years ago, he couldn't fight it off.</font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="3">Definitely made me go home and hug my daughter for long periods of time.</font></p>

[Sangreal]

<p>I'm sorry for all you guys. Death is a part of life, whatever follows life, is incureable. I lost my father before I was three years old. It sucks, but just think: everything comes to an end. People&nbsp;have always been obsessed by death. We do our best to understand but we can't. Just think about it, the piramids, churches and so on. Everything is centered on death. I will quote Shakespeare: Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.</p>