True story.
Yesterday I learned, via Facebook, that an old friend of mine had died. Our friendship dated back to the 1970s when her husband and I were in residency together, when she and I were both pregnant at the same time, and we both chose the same name for our first-born sons. Her son, however, died in a car crash in his twenties. I hadn't seen her for years, but she seemed to be in good health at our last visit together.
I called a mutual friend to confirm the news. Yes, she had passed, the cause of her death apparently some variation on the theme of dementia. We were the same age.
Surprising. Very sad. A little scary.
Yesterday's phone call lasted over an hour as we reflected on our shared friendship over the years. And then, the storytelling started. Like the time she handed a waitress her library card instead of her credit card and the hilarity that ensued. This drew forth a few chuckles. And then, more stories. And more laughter.
It occurred to me that this may be a worthy goal in life: to leave people laughing when they remember us.
Respect and admiration are nice. Affection is lovely. Sorrow is natural. But laughter!
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