2 days later, the unimaginable

Dear Diary.  Incredibly, tragically, two days after a new family member entered this world, another unexpectedly departed.  My 46-year old cousin Jim was found dead on his couch with the lights and television on.  What a cruel twist of fate…especially for my aunt, Jim’s mother.  You see, a parent should not have to bury her child.  Thats not the way it’s supposed to work.   My poor aunt…..she had to bury her first child, my oldest cousin Mike….around 1984 or so after he O.D.’d following a little too much partying.  Now, she has buried her second son.  My first thought was, oh no….not another overdose.  According to the medical examiner, he succumbed to a sudden, massive heart attack.  Man diary…you just never know.  When your time is up…you’d better be ready ’cause you’re GONE!

Here’s a shot where we were having a little too much fun….left to right, Mike, Jim, and my bro. 

This shot was taken on South 1st Street somewhere around 1979 or 1980: