This ain't no practice life guys.

[moparguy]

I'm a little down today, one of my good friends, ex-coworker and a neighbor died last night. Bill was 48, (I'm 49). He had been fighting the adverse effects of radation treatment for testicular cancer treatments in 1987. The cancer had spread to other areas before it was treated and the massive doses of radation required had damaged his heart. Cause of death will likely read congestive heart failure.

HVAC was the first I'm aware of to make the observation "This ain't no practice life". Bill lived this simple rule. He was the state Saddle Bronc champ in "76". Lost a index finger while roping steers after he sold his bucking saddle. Bought a $20,000 bass boat (no way he could afford that I told him) and won some money fishing while having a good time. He helped me build my barn, I helped him build his. Oh and he had a new Dodge Cummins diesel back in 91 when Dodge wasn't cool.

I guess the point of all this aimless rambling is that we all need to make the most of our days. They are a finite number.

This ain't no practice life.

Ronnie

[This message has been edited by moparguy (edited 02-09-2001). ]

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Sorry to hear about your friend.

Lost a friend (Mike) this week to cancer also. He was 50, an Eagle scout, etc.

Mike and I grew up together in a small Arkansas town and attended the same church for many years.

Back in early 70s used to drag race together.

Our best friend in 1971 got electrocuted to death two days after getting married. Maybe Mike and Jr. are getting caught up on the old times now!

[This message has been edited by Jumbo Jet (edited 02-09-2001). ]

 

[SLVRBLT]

moparguy-
So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. I am 54 and have reached the age where a few of my friends are also going. My best friend, who I worked with for 25 yrs. also has the same message, but puts it differently. He says, "This is no dress rehearsal, you only get to do it once". I try to live by that and live every day to the fullest. We should all appreciate each day and what it brings us, even though some days aren't what we would choose.
Dave

 

[Pete Peterson]

Just remember the good times Ronnie and that will keep your friend alive in your heart. Pete

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I find that I
am at that stage in my life where days/weeks
and months (now YEARS) seem to pass much too
quickly. The priorities of the past (fast
cars, boats, motorcyles etc) have been
replaced with the desire for a family and to
pay off past debts and not acquire any
unnecessary new ones or at least be able to
pay for them BEFORE I reach 60.

Good luck and hope you get feeling better
real soon. Get out the latest issue of TDR
and read thru it. Good therapy!

Chris

 

[HVAC]

I lost both my parents to cancer before their time.

 

['956Wheel]

Sad news, keep your chin up a buddy wouldn't want to see you down. I lost my childhood friend at 30 the report was heart attack. . the day before he was strong as an ox!

I get frustrated at times cause Mom likes to sleep in, I just feel like it's wasted time, gotta get up and hit it running time goes too fast.

"No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun".

------------------
9535hundred

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Definately not a practice life...

I know this all to well, and I didn't realize it until August 21, 1999. That day I was helping my friend restore his '68 VW Karmann Ghia. We were installing the carpet, and we were using an acetone-based glue to adhere the carpet to the floorpans. I was spraying the glue down in the back seat of the car, when the fumes spontaneously ingnited. I was in the back seat with the flames for 3 seconds. COunt that off... 1... 2... 3... Acetone burns VERY hot. Somehow I managed to jump out of the car, and over a 4-foot tall pile of boxes. I guess it was the adrenaline. EVentually the ambulance came, and took me to the ER.

The outcome of the story was I had deep second-degree burns covering 20% of my body. My entine face was covered, and my right hand took a lot of the abuse. The blisters I has on my hand were 1/2-3/4" high, and extremely painful. They would fill up with tissue fluid separating the layers of skin. I couldn't take it any longer, so I lanced each and every blister myself one night. THAT took guts. #ad


A year and a half after the incident, you can't even tell anything happened. The doctors said I would need a ton of reconstructive surgery. Not good news to a 20-year-old guy with 60 years left in him. #ad
But somehow, the skin completely healed itself with NO scars whatsoever. Guess I got lucky.

The fire changed my life. Before then, I was worried about little things that didn;t matter much. Now, I just let things go, and not make big things out of little things. It is just not worth it. Concentrate on short-term things... If you look to far ahead, you won't see what is in front of you.

Remember:

"IF is the middle word in LIFE. "

 

[Andy Perreault]

Of course, I never knew your friend Bill, but I just raised my glass to my monitor and said, "Here's to you, Bill!"
Small consolation, I know, but as a fellow TDR member, I felt like something was in order.
My dad's boss died of a heart attack in his driveway on a Monday morning as he was about to leave for work. IT WAS TO BE HIS LAST WEEK OF WORK BEFORE HE RETIRED! "Scotty" was a black man who fought discrimination all his life, and my dad says he was the finest boss a man could work for. His death remained in my dad's mind for years, and he retired as soon as he could. I'm hoping I can retire early, too, but I have at least 18 years to go!
Sorry to hear about the loss of Bill.
Andy

 

[John]

Sorry to hear of your loss Ronnie. You and HVAC are right... this ain't no practice life! One of these days I'll wake up and realize I've been pis*ing away too much time and energy on sh*t that doesn't really matter. #ad


Evan, you are one lucky guy!

[This message has been edited by John (edited 02-11-2001). ]

 

[Steve Campbell]

I have always said, the days you remember were the ones worth living. Sorry to hear about the losses John and Nowel.

------------------
1999 Qcab 4x4 Driftwood
Steve

 

[Papa Joe]

Hang in there, Ronnie. TDR spirits are with you and time heals wounds.

Three weeks ago I figured out what the term "close call" means. He was close enough for me to hear my name called, but I didn't have to go yet. Joe

 

[Happy Camper]

Sorry for your loss! As we loose friends and also get older we realize how precious life is! If you have been thinking about getting a new rig, stop and think about never seeing a U-haul trailer behind a Herse!
You can not take it with you so enjoy it now!

I am a firm believer when you are born your life clock is already wound. None of us know just how much the clock is wound. Enjoy today for what it may bring because tomorrow may not be yours to have.

 

[maint.man]

Saddly enough today I recieved a call that a friend of mine had passed away, I guess he had taken a fast trip down the wrong road, saddest part is he was only 22, I guess you never know when it's your time and all you can do is hope you're ready and make sure the ones you love know just how much you care.

 

[Jim Guidry]

My favorite saying, and my motto for life:

"Live every day as if it's your last. "


And I do.

My father left for work on my 17th birthday, and never came home. He was killed, along with 4 other fathers, in a chemical plant accident. Changed my outlook.

The wolf is always at the door.

 

[Max340]

A friend of mine died of a massive heart attack while on duty, the cruiser hit a tree and burned to the frame.

Another friend is currently fighting leukemia.

Yet another was hit and killed while riding his motorcycle.

A friends sister is dying due to an inoperable brain tumor.

My father died after fighting bone cancer for six years.

My brother has Muscular Dystrophy.

My grandmother died of old age... . 92 years. Some said it was a huge loss. I will tell you it was a 35 year gain for me. To her last days, she was reading, volunteering in her church, and a member of the ladies reading society that owned and kept open to the public a small library in her town.

My father put it best... .

Eat dessert first, ya never know when its gonna end!!!

------------------
Y2K 2500 QC Sport 4x4 LWB
72 Dart 340
89 LeBaron GTC 2. 2 TI

 

[outlawram]

I lost my father when I was 4 years old. I am now 23. He was killed in a accident. He was a truck driver. I can remember the day. He dropped me off in the semi at my grandmothers to be looked after for the day. And I can remember the look on my grandmas face after she got off the phone, I knew somthing was wrong. Just make sure you always tell your families that you love them because you never know when the last time you will see them. I miss that man very much. He will always be my hero. God Bless.

------------------
1999 2500 white quad cab sport diesel. loaded, leather. JRE 4" Straight pipe,JRE injectors,K/N Filter,lund luner visor,lund wiper cowl,Westin nerf bars,silencer removed, 35" tires on 16. 5"x10" rims,bushwacker fender flares. Hadley air horns.

 

[Ladders]

To all our TDR friends that have gone on before:

Diesel is in our blood and may it always be there for our kids! To those who have the constant drone - I salute YOU!


another way to put it:

Study as if you are going to live forever, Live as if you are going to die tomorrow.


To our departed "BomBers"!!

<sigh>
\\BF//