The Passing of a Friend

My friend, Bud Wilson, has been gone now for over three months. I don't believe he thought he was near death. I believe it came upon him as it does many of us, as a "thief in the night." His sister, who found him, said he was sitting in his favorite chair as if comfortably watching television. The set was still on and he was sitting with his hands folded across his chest and a blanket pulled up to his waist.

He most likely sat down to watch a favorite show and passed away quietly from a massive coronary. Apparently a hiatal hernia caused a build up of gas which cut off the blood flow to the heart.

Like many men, he hated to go to the doctor, and though he was suffering from chest discomfort and shortness of breath, he did not get examined.

I suppose there is a lesson in there for us all. Being macho or overly self-assured about our health, is not necessarily the wise attitude to take. We all need to tend more toward the hypochondriac and less toward the rugged individual when dealing with health issues.

It is literally a matter of life or death.

I for one miss my friend very much. We hiked together, did business together, and helped build the NFA together. He was a brilliant thinker and a true friend. He is gone much too soon. If you care about your friends and family, take care of yourself. Don't fail to go to the doctor when you know something is wrong. Do the right thing and get checked out. Your family and friends will thank you for it.

Godspeed.