Loved it, Billy. Sorry for your loss. Ray sounds like an amazing guy. I, too, have seen some amazing recoveries from sickness. I have seen miracles and it makes me want to keep fighting on. About 10 years ago I was in the hospital with pnuemonia. That was the sickest I've ever been and about the scariest time in my life. Lots of prayers and good friends helped me through that. I try to remember that moment to appreciate today. Be thankful for every day. Don.
> >From: Billy Lang >Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2013 1:35 PM >Subject: My Buddy Ray > > >My Buddy Ray died last week. He had COPD and carried an oxygen tank along with >him everywhere he went. A few years ago he contracted pneumonia. He was placed >in a coma and put on a respirator. I never thought I would see him again but >he pulled through. This completely changed my perception . From that day on I >would never give up on anyone. Never in my realm of experiencing loved ones >dying did I expect Ray to breathe on his own once he was taken off the >respirator. > >Years later, after going out to eat with my parents, Bobbie and my wife Paula, >Ray fell and broke his hip. It was the beginning of a long desperate battle >that ended ultimately in his death. At the wake there were the same platitudes >namely "it was his time", "he couldn't fight anymore" and "he is at rest now." > >Today, I got back on my old desktop computer and realized I had no new jokes. >For at least the last five years Ray had been sending me emails of jokes, >prayers, lessons on life, politics (mostly against Obama) and the occasional >e-card. Now, Ray did not send one a day. He would send five or the occasional >seven emails. Up until the middle of 2012 he would send the emails as >attachments where you annoyingly had to click open the email he sent then >click open the attachment and If the attachment opened a web address or a >movie there was another click. It got so frustrating that I really didn't care >if the email was funny. > >So, as a tribute to Ray, my Buddy, here’s a message he sent me in October, >2012 as an attachment: > > >Just in case I'm gone tomorrow > >As I approach my mid-seventies, I am struck by the inevitability that the >party must end. And one clear, cold morning after I'm gone, my wife will >awaken in the warmth of our bedroom and she will be struck with the pain of >learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". >No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone >calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." >Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never >to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you." >So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's >broken and heal it when it's sick. >This is true for marriage.....And old cars. And children with bad report >cards, And dogs with bad hips. And aging parents and grandparents. We keep >them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. >Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law >after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what. >Life is important, like people we know who are special. And so, we keep them >close! >Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know how you really >feel? The important thing is to let every one of your friends know your true >feelings, even if you think they don't love you back. > > >RIP Ray, I miss you and the emails. > >Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do! > >Billy > > >
