I will never forget you

Facing Death is never easy. Anyone who tells you otherwise is full of it. I've faced death in many of it's faces. I've seen quite violent death, that often could have been avoided if one had taken care. In my late teens, I often casually worked for a local funeral home whose owners my family have been friendly with for years. This funeral home buried my oft lamented grandfather. Facing death is never, ever easy but over time one does become numb...until the wound cuts too deep.
By the new year, the world will have lost another two human beings who were loved every well. One is older lady who spoiled me as a child and was a dear friend of my mother; the other certainly will be taken before his time.
'Auntie' Shirley Van Tankeren grew up with my mum from the time they were youngsters. Shirley helped my mum when she was going through her rough patch. They corresponded often. My family and I often visited Shirley, her husband and children when we went to Britain on holiday. It was accepted custom. During my childhood and teen years, Shirley would spoil us something rotten and we loved her for it. I loved hearing her reminisce with my folks about their time in Britain before I was born. Then Shirley's son, Leo, known to us affectionately as 'Archer', informed my mum that her best friend was not long for this world. Mum was torn; visiting her would be a financial strain, especially before Christmas. Mum asked my opinion which I said: "If you believe for a second that you would regret NOT going, pack your bags and go." So she went and they had a blast. Mum brought her a ray of joy that went unmatched.
Like my mum, I also refuse to be defeated by circumstance. During my mother's visit to Britain to say goodbye to her friend, I received news that a friend that knew for only a few years had given up his fight with cancer. Given my own health scare and my parent's own fight with cancer; this news stunned and depressed me but I refused to give up hope. Like Admiral Kirk, I do not believe in the 'No-Win' scenario. I expressed my grief and shock on Christopher Schenk's Facebook page; many of our mutual friends 'liked' my heartfelt comments.
I've only known Chris for a few years but I knew I would eventually warm up to him. We met at Old Academy Players in East Falls. I first thought him a bit to nerdy at first (and I admit that I was slightly jealous of his choice of girlfriend at the time) but I quickly appreciated his organizational skills, his humor, his wit and above all, his patience. We have done quite a few shows together and had lots of fun both on and off-stage. Chris has seen parts of me, few will ever see...depending on how much I am drinking at the time. He even directed me during the inaugural One-Act Festival, an event Chris created. (and whether he likes it or not, will probably be named in his honor.)
When the opportunity came to visit him before it was too late, I grabbed it with both hands. One of the Old Academy directors offered to drive out to visit Chris. She also intimated that she needed her moral support from somebody. That somebody turned out to be me.
I didn't know what to expect when I saw Chris but from reading his recent Facebook posts I knew there would be a man using a serious amount of inner strength. I was certainly surprised by how Chris looked but I was certainly struck by his own fortitude. Here was a man who was only interested in hearing the good and happy memories and faced down his own formidable father when plans seemed to become too grandiose.
I shall miss both when they are gone but like my grandfather and other departed friends, they will never, ever be forgotten.