The Death in Life~
It’s interesting when people say, “They died an untimely death” -Like what death is timely? We just found out so and so died and I gotta say, it was the perfect time. No, there really isn’t the perfect time for a death in life. It is going to come one way or another and it is going to be someone you know and love. It’s plain and simple and it sucks. And there ‘aint a damn thing anyone can do about it.
An old friend died a week ago. His name was Jaik Miller. He was a talented artist and one of those special people you can’t help but love right away. As well as touching many a heart, he had touched the New York music scene with his beautiful music for many years. I had only seen him a handful of times over the years and granted he was much closer with some of my other close friends, but I always loved him and we shared enough moments for his life and death to have an impact on me. Plus, we all know you don’t always even have to know someone to be affected by them, including their death.
I went to his funeral a few days ago and as far as funerals go, it was a good one. It was deeply moving, sad and awful, but there were smiles and laughs shared and actually, these are the few moments in life when there is no bullshit. In times of grief, people tend to just let it all hang out and be raw and honest. I do wish we could be like that all of the time. We all keep saying those old infamous words, “Life is too short”—no, but really. The older I get, the more these words ring true. It is unfortunate that life these days seem so stressful for most. I only wish we could all realize what we have and who we have, before it is too late. But I am guilty myself. We sweat the small stuff. We worry who is following us on social media sites, we worry we’re getting ugly. Oh, wait maybe that’s just me. We just plain worry. Then suddenly a catastrophic event occurs, whatever that may be and we all realize, wait, a minute—we are idiots. And this we are. Sometimes, we just really are too self involved and blind to see things until after they are gone, or after the party is over.
I watched my friends pick up shovels and bury their dear friend the other day. Their brother and their son. There are no words to describe seeing this true type of moment. I cried for my friend who had gone. I cried for my friends who were grieving. I cried because then I thought what if this was someone even closer to me that had gone. I just cried. And it was okay. Everything is okay, as Jaik, himself would most likely say.
The sun shined throughout this dark day regardless. For even in the hardest and darkest of hours, there is always a little bit of light. Life does go on, as shitty as it can often be, it does go on. I just wanted to pay my respects in some way, through a small note to the passing of an old friend. To share a word of love for all of my friends that have touched my life in one or another over the years. As much as cell phones give me a headache and I don’t feel like always talking unless you are standing in front of me, I have been touched by so many people in my life, it is simply insane. I don’t want to get all hippy dippy on ya, but I do only wish we could realize the effect we have on this world while we’re in it.
As I was drawing to a close here, “Daydream Believer” came on the radio. This has significance because of the recent passing of Davy Jones from The Monkees. I do believe, too many people to be passing away. I feel like every week, someone in pop culture who defined my youth is leaving. I feel soon, nothing will be left of the artsy backdrop of my youth. I know you can say, screw you Jenny, you don’t even know these entertainers personally. Well, they seemed to show their faces quite a bit on television and on the radio as I grew up and since I am a die hard fanatic of all things in entertainment, screw you. It matters to me.
So that’s it—go back to your Friday plans—-Just wanted to say a few things. I shall now go back to being cynical and sarcastic.
xo
