Around 8 months ago, I reconnected with a friend of mine from grade school. His name was Stan, or Stas, as we in Polish school called him, and he was a good guy. Back in the day, he was a bit of a handful in the classroom: in future years, we learned that possibly he was an ADD student, although I don’t think it was really diagnosed as such in the mid 1960’s.
I was with an acquaintance in a local bar when Stas walks in with a blond. It was the late 1970’s and it was the first time I saw Stas since eighth grade graduation. We shared some laughs that night, Stas left with his blond, and that was the last time I actually saw him in person.
Time goes on; we work, we meet people, we date and marry. Usually we would have classmates, albeit a few, at our ceremonies, as we were a tight class. You know how it is though, people drift in and out of your life.
I didn’t realize I would meet up with Stas via Facebook. I just assumed he was off work for disability. I mean, he really wasn’t talking about work. Instead his health was deteriorating. Stas had cancer, as I found out from his son. I had mailed him a card to tell him of my health history and how I prayed, listened to the doctors, and managed to pull through cancer three times. I left him with I would keep him in my prayers. By the time he got the card, his girlfriend messaged me to tell me Stas got the card and appreciated me getting in touch with him.
His son, Scott, posted about Stas’ passing last night on Facebook. It was a bittersweet and touching post, put something I would have expected from his son.
I looked back on his Facebook page and found a post from the end of January. He simply posted.” I’m scared.” That broke my heart when I read that.
Rest in peace Stas. I know you will have them laughing up in heaven.
Goodnight, my friend!
thereisnosanityclause 