Meditations On Life And Death

As I type this, another Memorial Day Weekend has arrived. At my present location in Wildwood, NJ, this holiday always ushers in the unofficial start of the season, one I've experienced as a resident for nearly 25 years. Personally, I've become one jaded cucumber in regards to this annual "resurrection" of my local domain. You've seen one...you've practically seen 'em all. But this example of the cyclical nature of life has resonated a bit closer to home as of late. Perhaps it has something to do with the onset of middle age or with a pervasive sense of disappointment and frustration as of late. Perhaps.

However two occurrences that I am affiliated with on some level has reinforced this "all things must pass" perception of mine. Both having transpired just this past week.

The first deals with friend "Whyte Rich" who just a couple years ago was traveling with me and some other pals as a free wheelin' bachelor for wine, women, song, and adventure. After his return from Tahoe in 2007, he fell into a "funk" and tried to find a new sense of direction. Such an impetus soon led him to his present wife, of which he met online and ended up relocating to Manitoba, Canada shortly after. A marriage was quickly consummated upon his relocation (December 2007) and just this past Sunday, he became the father of a bouncing baby boy. Naturally (one would hope), he is ecstatic about the prospect of fatherhood and could not be more enthralled. Watching a personally recorded videoclip just after his child was born serves as fitting testimony to his newfound elation. And naturally, I wish him the very best in this new life trajectory he has embarked upon.

On the other side of the matter is the very sudden and untimely passing of someone I knew. Mind you, this person was not a direct close friend of mine - but was of my younger siblings. I haven't seen or heard from him in years, but I was mildly aware of his life's developments over the years.

The most personal recollection I have of him dates back to November 1986. *"Todd" was a young neighbor of ours and asked me for a copy of Huey Lewis & The News "Hip To Be Square" for a school project. Naturally, I was happy to oblige. Todd was an outgoing, smart, friendly, and genuine kid who was well liked by many. Once he graduated high school, he attended college and graduated to great success. As I understand it, he ultimately ended up in the business sector, making vast sums of money and married to his fiance only a couple years ago (though I understand he divorced a year later). Overall, on the surface of things, here was someone whom seemed to "have it all", deservedly so.

Then just a couple days ago, tragedy struck. After exiting from a wave runner at the dock of a bar & grille on The Delaware River, Todd fell into the rushing river and drowned. Sadly, he wasn't wearing a life preserver at the time which may have saved his life. In the proverbial blink of an eye, someone who was in the prime of life was gone. Needless to say, the scope and magnitude of this tragedy is vast. On Facebook, many of my friends and family expressed their condolences, sorrow, and sympathy...much as they did in a positive light towards the birth of "Whyte Rich's" new child just days before. Indeed, life and death are two different ends of the same cord.


Personally, I muse about the vicissitudes of life in these scenarios. When someone such as Todd who assuredly worked hard in life to attain success and accomplish sought after cherished goals is lost in an apparent instant. What's it all about? Is life really such an aimless, finite prospect ultimately?
I pose these existential questions in a rhetorical framework as I do have my precepts on what "The Big Picture" encompasses.

The nihilist in me would be tempted to say "yes"...but the eternal optimist informs me of something entirely different. Personally, I've been led to some conclusions that support the latter orientation as opposed to the former. But I always scrutinize my observations and conclusions however and periodically must entertain some "what ifs" in the process. And I am in no position to inform someone of something I lack an absolute comprehension of. This existence thing is a mindblower.

Congratulations, "Whyte Rich"...Rest In Peace, Todd.

*named changed to protect the privacy and identity of the person referenced.