Jimmy

I work in a field where people sometimes die before they really ought to.
I do administrative work for a drug rehabilitation facility. I see many men and women from their late teens into their late fifties who struggle daily to stay clean and sober. For most of them, it is so hard. They need a tremendous amount of support.
You can tell when they are doing well. Their faces change and their energy becomes clearer.
Some of these folks struggle for years to put all their pieces together. And they do - and they are fine and beautiful. But, sometimes, despite all their best efforts, the drugs and alcohol do a number on their bodies that cannot be reversed - and an event that most of us could get through as a little inconvenience is too much to handle.
This is essentially what happened to my friend Jimmy tonight. He died after a good day and a pleasant dinner with friends. I saw him mid day. We exchanged pleasant small talk as we always did. I asked him how he was feeling and to please take good care of himself. When he said "Good-bye," I said, "Oh Jimmy, you always say that, and then you come back again later!" But, he is not coming back this time.
I had not known Jimmy for a long time, and I did not know him terribly well. But, I do know that he was one of the sweetest and kindest people I had ever met. He was beloved in the community where our clients live.
Jimmy had been out of addiction for some time and had risen to a position of some responsibility within our community. My bosses always took his calls!
Jimmy - I will miss our daily encounters and joking around! I will miss the opportunity I might have had to get to know you better. I will pray that your beloved soul finds a safe haven with God and that you will be showered with great bounties in the next world.
Your friend,
Barb