About this time every year, I like to retell a story about my best friend, Fritz.
It has been several years ago since he passed. But, like with all those we love who pass, it seems like just yesterday. He left, but not before he taught me one last lesson.
Fritz was a big, larger than life man who lived life to the fullest. I have often said, it is harder to find a good fishing buddy than it is, a good wife. And, Fritz was the best fishing buddy I ever had.
He was a man of many contradictions. He lived modestly, but was a millionaire. He was a tall Viking, but was the softest touch I ever met. He was the most successful contractor in our valley. He was a man’s man, and my friend.
Now, to the story. We were planning a fishing adventure down to Costa Rica. The motos were ready, the packing was done, and the dates were set. It was all we talked about for months. I poured over every route and studied all the possible tide charts and camping areas along the way.
I thought the day we would leave would never come. Finally, the day of our departure was near. I was so excited that my friends were tired of hearing about our plans.
But a few days before we were actually scheduled to head out, Fritz called me, and said he could not make it. He said that a job had come up that he could not pass up. I was livid and we argued. He said he had doubled his bid but still got the project. He paused and said, “Kenny. We can always go next year.”
I postponed Costa Rica and left on a long moto trip that stretched into months. We didn’t talk much during the time as I was traveling to the white spots on the map where there was no connectivity. I was unplugged. When I finally got back, there were several messages on the phone from Fritz’s daughter that said my friend was ill and I should come right away to see him.
Fritz had contracted cancer. What he had thought was a bad virus before I left had turned out to be lung cancer. Immediately, I went to see him.
He was frail and ill. He was weak and barely had the strength to speak above a whisper. We talked long into the evening. He weakly laughed, as we recalled all the adventures we had been on and all the great times we had had.
I looked around his richly appointed house where we had spent so many evenings planning our adventures and realized all his stuff and money did not really count for much, now. All we were talking about were the good times and adventures we had shared.
As though he had read my mind, he squeezed my hand firmly, eyes welling up, and said, “Kenny, we should have gone to Costa Rica.”
My friend, Fritz, died the next day.
So sad, makes us realize that tomorrow is guaranteed to no one and no amount of money or anything we do, can change that. Sometimes we put off for tomorrow what we should or could do today. Sorry for the loss of your friend.
Thanks for the comment, Angie! Yes. I learned that the present is all we have and can actually engage in so I don’t put things off.
Okay you made me cry. Seriously tears, Sorry for the loss of a great friend. Some regrets we can live with some are harder.
I’ve learned that we can only engage in the present so we should not let things go but rather live life’s adventure with gusto.
Yepper
That’s just the way it is, isn’t it? It makes growing up so depressing. I’m 30 years-old at the moment. I’m fortunate to have 3 grandparents still alive. The 4th past about 4 years ago. All of my close friends are still alive. I guess I’ve been lucky. I guess it’s catching up, though. My dad just went through treatment for prostate cancer. One of my grandpa’s has bladder cancer. My only remaining grandma isn’t expected to make it through the year. I feel like I’m going to lose a lot of people in a short period of time in the very near future. Isn’t it crazy how quickly people are completely gone? Wish I was a kid again sometimes. The older you get, the more people you lose. I guess if it’s hard to lose someone, then it means they were pretty awesome, and we were blessed to know them.
Well said, Mireilles.Treasure your family and friends. They’re non-renewable resources to be cherished.
Kenny, this is so true, if you think you need to say something to someone or see them you need to just do it. The next day may be too late! I sorry you lost your very dear friend. Hold on to your memories.
Very kind of you Jackie. Thanks for visiting my blog. Warm regards!
Such a fine tribute to your friend, Kenny. And a lesson to live it and love those we love while we can. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks, Lynn. I’m really enjoying your blog, BTW.
I’m sorry about your friend but so glad you got to see him and spend that memorable evening with him. Thank you for sharing. All of us can learn from this.
This is what I learned when my Nanna passed away. She always wanted to go to Malta again and didn’t go. She sadly then passed away a couple of years later. I’ve learnt that if someone wants to travel, they should, so they can try to make the best of life 🙂
Well said! Warm regards!
Great post!
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Thanks, Candy. Fritz really like you and Tom.