Eeyore Got His Wings

[wlotus]

Most of the days I am at my internship, there are three people sitting in the director's corner of the cubical farm: the director (A), my MCSE instructor (L), and myself. One day L was in a gloomy mood, and A teased him about sounding like Eeyore. That led to a lively discussion between the three of us about which Winnie the Pooh characters we were. They christened me "Pooh", and I said A reminds me of Tigger, because she has so much energy. A went online and printed out illustrations of each of those characters, then taped them above our desks. The Eeyore illustration included wings and a halo.

In reality, L is a knowledgeable IT consultant and certified instructor, not to mention a fighter. He's been battling cancer for about a year, but he refuses to let that slow him down...much. Where the rest of us would call out because of a cold or a heavy snowfall, he'd go all the way out to the office in Manhattan from Long Island, snow, rain, pain, and all. The only thing that keeps him from coming in is something like hospitalization. He doesn't complain, and he doesn't lecture other people on what they should push through. He just pushes himself as a matter of course.

He went into the hospital with a bad infection a couple of weeks ago. A called him on Tuesday and told him we are rooting for him and sending our love. He was a little loopy from the painkillers, but he sounded cheerful and said the infection was finally responding to the antibiotics. I felt better knowing A had heard his voice and let him know we are thinking good thoughts for him.

Today I went in, and A had bad news for me: our Eeyore got his wings yesterday morning.

It seems surreal; how can a person be there one day and just...not be there the next day? I can't wrap my brain around that. Anyway, T and I intend to go to the wake on Sunday evening with the other people from the office. We want to show support for his friends and family, as well as getting some closure for ourselves.

Comments

[lilrongal.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss. :(

[beautyofgrey.livejournal.com]

:( I'm so sorry to hear of this.

[ruthiebgr8.livejournal.com]

It's so difficult to lose someone in an instant like that. It hurts! There are so many questions and "what if's" to deal with. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers as you offer support to his friends and family and as you process your grief over his passing.

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

There is nothing quite like the sensation of the sudden hole in life where a living, breathing, special person used to be.

May he be at peace, and may all those who love him find comfort in the days, weeks, and years to come.

[audrabaudra.livejournal.com]

Much sympathy to you and your colleagues and friends, and to his family.

It sounds like L had a life well-lived and was a model of decency and self-discipline and humility, coming in to work no matter what, not grizzling about his illness, just getting on with this business called "life."

I'm sure that his family will appreciate your and T's gentle act of kindness in showing your respect at the wake--but your being kind comes as no surprise :-) Sharing our memories of a person is how we keep them alive after loss.

Be well.

[greenminions.livejournal.com]

That must really be a shock. That's amazing he was such a fighter. I hope the wake gives you some closure.

[jadegirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetheart.

I wish you and his loved ones all comfort.

[grandwoobah.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry.

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

That is sad. Hopefully he is in a place without pain now.

[labellerose.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry. May you all give and receive comfort and get the closure you need.

[redheadedfemme]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Please accept my condolences.

It's good you had a chance to talk to him, and he knew you were thinking of him.

[verucas-chaos.livejournal.com]

:-( {hugs}

[jiffyschnapps.livejournal.com]

Sounds like Eeyore was one of those special people who occasionally brush through our lives with a delicate force that is not easily forgotten. I am glad you got to know him and sorry you all lost him so suddenly. May his gracious fighting have given way to peace.

[ennuiescapist.livejournal.com]

What a sweet and sad story this is. I like to think of Eeyore having wings, though... There is something poetically truthful about it. Such sad news, today... I don't think a person is every truly gone, but it is difficult that they simply vanish in an instant, just as suddenly as they appeared in the world.

Sending you loving thoughts.

[acoustics1220.livejournal.com]

:(((( *hugs* It's great to see that you'll be supportive while at the wake. What a discussion to have so soon before. *big hugs*

[dreamsrundeep.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Awful. You just never know how much time you'll have on earth - times like these always remind me to hug my loved ones a little longer, call someone I haven't talked to in a while and stop and snuggle the dog even when I'm busy. Hang in there.

[spritely-ariel.livejournal.com]

That's so sad. He sounds like an admirable person.

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear this.

[openscarf.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.