sad news from a friend

I heard from my dear friend Kevin tonight. I've known Kevin for years, and he often calls when I least expect it. He used to call me from Ireland, and then he moved to California and continued to stay in touch. He's had some outrageous and hilarious adventures, at least in retrospect, and is now married to a man he's known for over a decade (and whom I also like a great deal). Kevin and Dick are very settled together.

So I was delighted to hear from Kevin this evening. Alas, he was calling with sad news -- his father died yesterday or the day before. I last talked to Kevin just before his October trip to Ireland; he was bubbling about seeing his dad and finally having the opportunity to introduce at least one of his now grown children to Dick. We ended that conversation on a very hopeful and happy note.

And then today's call. It turns out that Kevin's father was visiting K's brother, Brandon, in Long Island. Things have been going right for this family; Brandon is happily married, they have a young son, and they just bought a house. During the visit, Kevin's dad somehow fell down the basement steps, and somehow while Brandon was calling 911, managed to walk back upstairs under his own steam. There was internal bleeding and surgery to correct it, followed by a heart attack and eventually, his heart stopped.

And yet, so many things to be thankful for. Kevin came east fairly quickly; Dick followed a few days later. Kevin's sisters arrived from Ireland. So they were all able to be with their dad near the end. This family seems to get along. Kevin, who doesn't hold back, has nothing but kind words for his siblings (and I'm sure, they for him), and they all adore Dick. And Kevin knew that his father loved him.

But still. And now they're all headed back to Ireland on Thursday and Friday -- all four siblings, Dick, Kevin's dad, and perhaps others. I am so grateful that Kevin called me and so saddened at this news. Kevin has told me so many delightful stories about his father. I wondered aloud if he might try to gather some of these stories and write them down (both Kevin's father and Kevin were and are excellent writers).

And a PS -- my friend Marlene's husband, Rick, died a year ago Monday. Such a sad time.