“The possibility of loss is what makes things valuable.” From Robert B. Parkers “A Catskill Eagle”
We all have them. Relationships that are our most important. Those that we cherish.
These past 18 months have been hard. Many friends have died or experienced life altering tragedy. And, of course, this impacts friends and loved ones forcefully. Our lives are diminished with the loss of those we hold dear and near.
I have a small circle of friends that when and if anything happens to one of them I will go catatonic. That’s a given.
What surprises me is that even the death of casual friends really disturbs me.
Guess I don’t handle emotional distress very well.
Seems like life would be a lot easier without the attachment of friends, family, and loved ones. And the inherent and inevitable pain.
Possibly the only circumstance worse than emotional attachment to others would be a total absence of it. So, we carry the cross.
Imagine a life where you cared for no one and no one cared for you. How sad is that? And what a waste.
“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” – Albert Camus
Texas Heat 
I think we feel it so deep because it reminds us of our own mortality. I don’t feel any fear about dying but I do feel sadness at leaving my family and friends and not being able to watch them all grow. I will just make it a point to keep coming back and visiting them whether they can see me or not:)
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That is probably correct. I’m not sure but it makes sense. However, it is possible to feel sorry for your friend, family member and loved one. The joy that person gave you is gone. You have lost a key ingredient of your happiness.
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“Seems like life would be a lot easier without the attachment of friends, family, and loved ones.” I think this is a very normal thought after experiencing traumatic pain and loss, but our logic resumes (sometimes not for years but better late than never) and we realize that we were put here to share our lives, to connect, to have an impact on something or someone. I’m sorry for your loss, hopefully the next 6 months (rest of 2014) ends on a happier note!
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Thank you for your comment and wishes. Possibly the next 6 months will be better but at my age, 71, I’ve reached that point in life where so many of my friends are moving on. It is what it is. I just don’t like it.
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