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Re:
That's true, mariss. Like I wrote, he was a fairly popular guy around our neighborhood, and everyone is in some state of shock over his passing, especially the way it happened! Tragic! Thanks for the sentiments. 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 31, 2012 at 7:56 AM
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Re:
He does indeed, Annicita! It really was a bizarre set of circumstances, and yes, I'm glad I got to see him that one last time. Thanks for your thoughts. 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 31, 2012 at 7:54 AM
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Sad, but has reminded us of a good thought to enjoy people while we are with them. Nice post. 
He seems to have had a good upbringing with a lot of friends, not everyone can say that.
posted by
mariss9
on August 30, 2012 at 9:35 PM
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sad you lost your friend but great that you were able to see him one more time before his fatal accident. god works in mysterious ways .... god bless
posted by
Annicita
on August 30, 2012 at 1:48 PM
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Re: Re: Re: yes I remember the write about your friend and how nice to run into
And that's the ultimate goal, Kabu, to understand everything that happens in the universe . . . and why. We just may one day. For now, it's probably better not to attempt to wrap our heads around such things, and just live our lives as best we can. It was still nice to see my old neighborhood friend one last time . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 1:25 PM
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Re: Re: yes I remember the write about your friend and how nice to run into
some things really are planned, meeting you probably was very important for hom as well. a closure or just a goodbye....we don't understand all that happens.
posted by
Kabu
on August 30, 2012 at 11:05 AM
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Re:
It's always very difficult, TAPS, to both understand and accept. When you read or hear of the passing of someone who was, say, in their nineties or even over a hundred, you may think to yourself "That person had a full life" simply because of the age they had reached. But when a life comes to an end at that young of an age, and under those circumstances, what do you say? What are we to think? Where is the logic, the reasoning, the rationale? I'm sure we've all been in this particular boat at least once in our lives, and no matter what, it never, ever gets easier, or clearer. Someday we may all find and receive "the answer," but for now, we must stew in our own confusion over such things! 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 8:09 AM
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Re: JimmyA - Chance & Coincidence
That could be, Pannonian. Chance, coincidence, irony, happenstance . . . they are all intertwined, in one form or another, and affect our lives each and every day. But when it come to "life & death," no one wants to roll the dice . . . we all want to live forever. Unrealistic thinking I know, but a "life preserver" nonetheless. How much control we have over these things is as varied as our lives themselves. Or perhaps it's not in our hands at all . . . ! 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 8:02 AM
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Re:
All too true, Utah, all too true. Sometimes, when I think that today has got to be someone's birthday, I try not to imagine that also today, someone is no longer with us either. It's a sad and vicious cycle, and unfortunately, we're all in it together! No one is immune!
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 7:56 AM
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Re: We think a moment, when we are in it, will never end...
That's true, Ciel. Sometimes, when my wife and I are watching an old black & white movie, I can't help but look at some of these actors and actresses, who were in their twenties and thirties at the time, and find it difficult to accept the fact that they are gone, and yet, their "younger" images live on forever, a snapshot of their lives for the rest of us to enjoy for all time. It's hard to keep the memory of everybody alive, but we must, because at some point, that's all you'll have!
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 7:53 AM
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Re: yes I remember the write about your friend and how nice to run into
It's hard to look at it that way sometimes, Kabu, but you're right. No one wants to dwell on the fact that we're all here for only a brief moment, and it's what you do with that time and who you spend it with that really matters. I think it might have been a little different had J-Rod still been living here in New Jersey, and I had seen him more often. But like I wrote, I guess I was meant to see him that one last time. Sad . . . and strange!
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 7:47 AM
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Re:
Thanks, FSI. Yes, life is fleeting, and one just never knows! And sometimes it doesn't even matter how the person passed away . . . it's just the mere fact that they're no longer here. It's never easy! 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 7:43 AM
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Re: JimmyA
I hope so, Wiley, and thanks. Believe it or not, I still haven't told my wife yet. She does not take such news well, regardless of who the person was or what the circumstances were. And this weekend, my family is gathering for an engagement party for one of my nieces, and I'll have the daunting task of passing this distressing news onto everyone there as well. Believe me, no one will forget ol' J-Rod!
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 7:40 AM
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Re:
Not particularly, adnohr. Like I wrote, we were never really close friends, we just grew up together in the same neighborhood. The only thing that really struck me about that encounter with him at the wedding was the fact that apparently the Florida sun had not been particularly nice to him ( or his wife ), and he actually looked fifteen years older than me rather than just two. Of course, that was no factor whatsoever in his demise. Other than that, I really don't recall a lot of the specifics of the conversation itself. Still a shame though . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 7:36 AM
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Re:
Perhaps, luster, but for now, this one escapes me. The man was only 54, the father of two kids, and was simply a pedestrian, minding his own business. I know this isn't exactly a unique scenario, but when it's someone you knew . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 30, 2012 at 7:31 AM
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It is such a shock when ones we know, or have known, die suddenly and unexpectedly, and especially from something of a violent nature. Hard to understand and difficult to accept.
posted by
TAPS.
on August 29, 2012 at 10:10 PM
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JimmyA - Chance & Coincidence
Are coincidences just rare chance events? I think so. There is rich and fascinating literature on the subject - Koestler, Jung and even Einstein have debated it. Chance is ever-present in our daily lives. Some chance happenings are more memorable than others. The odds against some occurrences happening are longer and therefore more remarkable, just as described in this story. 
posted by
Pannonian
on August 29, 2012 at 9:53 PM
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You are so right Jimmy. Today is the end of the world for many a poor soul. So when someone tells you that the end is near, they are right. No one gets out alive.
posted by
UtahJay
on August 29, 2012 at 2:22 PM
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We think a moment, when we are in it, will never end...
We think the people in our lives will never go.
They do... but I have come to believe that they don't go as far away as we think.
posted by
Ciel
on August 29, 2012 at 10:54 AM
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yes I remember the write about your friend and how nice to run into
an old friend from when you were kids. i was shocked to read this psot. it just reminds one of the fragility of life and how important to always be open to being pleasant for it may be the last chance.
posted by
Kabu
on August 29, 2012 at 9:54 AM
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It's so sad that happened to him...You hit the nail on the head with the moral.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on August 29, 2012 at 9:29 AM
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JimmyA
Condolences for the loss of your friend and this was a lovely tribute to your friend.
posted by
WileyJohn
on August 29, 2012 at 9:00 AM
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Sorry about that, JimmyA - it does come as a bit of a shock hearing things like that, especially since you've chatted with him not so long ago. I think as your wife does - everything happens for a reason. Do you remember any special thing about your conversation with J-Rod?
posted by
adnohr
on August 29, 2012 at 8:41 AM
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some times it takes years to know why something happened for a reason, someday you might know
posted by
Lanetay
on August 29, 2012 at 8:25 AM
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