Farewell my Friend...........

Update........October 6th, 1960..........July 30th, 2008

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER......your passing has left a painful void in my heart......but the memories will always be there to fill that emptiness in my soul.

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I forged a friendship with Desmond O'Brien back in 1965. We were kindergarteners. He lived on one side of town, I, the other. We would meet halfway at the tracks and for 43 years, we grew together as Brothers. Growing up, we were inseparable. Our Families melded and spent holidays and countless summer vacations together as a unit. Desmond was my Best Man and I, his. He is my Lynny's Godfather. He is my Best Friend. The memories. The good times and the laughter. The bad times and the tears. If I had to go through it, so did he.

17 years ago, Doctors gave him 6 months to live, not quite long enough for him to see his first born take her 1st steps, when an inoperable brain tumor was found. The world came crumbling down on Desmond, his Wife, and his new family. However, he was not about to go down without a fight. New Doctors, new treatments, new therapies, new medications, a strong spiritual soul and an even stronger will to survive kept him strong. The "year" went by, and then 5, and eventually to the present. The tumor came and went over the years. Twice they removed as much of the regrown tumor they could as time and advancements in medicine made it possible for surgical intervention. Complications from his condition kept him in and out of medical facilities for the most part. A brain hemorrhage and a stroke 5 yrs ago turned his battle into a struggle to survive. Last week, doctors found that the tumor not only doubled in size over a few weeks, but an additional growth half the size of the original, was found on the opposite hemisphere. As a last ditch effort, he will undergo the most aggressive course of Chemotherapy that he has ever endured with absolutely no guarantees.

This morning, I visited my friend. He seemed to be in pain. His body twisted and thin. His eyes were closed. I bent down and said "Hey Poppy" and kissed him on his forehead. His eyes opened and he reached for my hand. As sick as he is, he still managed to get a good grip. I asked him how he was feeling and his reply was simply "I'm dying".

I sat with Desmond for over an hour. Did most of the talking. Talked about our families, our losses, our memories of growing up. Talked in length about our friendship. Held his hand in mine. Cried a few times in harmony. As I was preparing to leave, I gave Desmond a picture of Him and I taken 30 years ago. He held it close and focused on it and then kissed it and held it to his chest directly over his heart. As I bent down to kiss him goodbye, his arm came up around me and pulled me in for a hug as strong as any hug I've ever had. He then whispered to me in his tired voice "I'll pass that kiss on to your old man." (referring to my Father who passed on 14 years ago).

Desmond saw his 1st born graduate High School and fathered 2 more beautiful children as well.

I said goodbye to my Best Friend today.