Shock

One of my best friends just told me that her longtime boyfriend had a massive stroke early this morning, and he has been declared brain dead. I missed her phone call because I forgot to stick my cell phone in my pocket on the way out the door to the post office. I had a few groceries to put up, and didn't look at the phone right away.

I had powered up the computer and was checking email when I saw her come online in a messenger service. I had just been thinking about calling her, because we are collaborating on a project right now. I casually asked her what's up, as is normal, and got one of the great shocks of my life. She first said she didn't know what to do, and I had no idea what had happened. So I learned of K's tragedy on an IM. As things go, I am glad I had left the phone, because if I had been driving when she told me, I think I might have had a wreck.

I picked up the cell and called her immediately, and they were on the way to the hospital to meet with the chaplain and make arrangements for organ donation. I don't want to be in the way right now, and my best intentions feel very feeble to me. God help me to be there for her.

My own father died in the same way. I was barely fifteen and remember it like yesterday. One moment your loved one is there, then suddenly, they are not. Words are failing me...