Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

What is more human than to share our grief in the loss of a friend? After all, we all will face death. Either through the loss of a family member or friend, or vicariously through the shared loss of another, death unites us as humans. As Christians we understand that death is the transition from one aspect of life (temporal) to another (eternal).

I first met Reggie before the campus opened for the 1989 Fall semester at Southeastern College. He and I were about the same age, both of us were fathers, and both of us were trying to find our way as adult learners. Reg came from the tough streets of New York and found Christ after a lifetime of addictions. It was the consequences of these addictions that would later end his life. His body could just not heal the deep internal wounds left by abuse.

It was my privilege to take him to the hospital in Tampa on several occasions for tests and procedures. Reggie was later placed on the list for a liver transplant. Unfortunately, I moved away before he received his transplant. Another friend took over when he was called for the operation. He managed to live a few years after the transplant. I do not know the details, but he passed away about 4 years ago.

I think what I am struggling with the most is that I found out today that he had passed away. What shocked me the most was that it took so long for me to find out. How sad that I did not follow up with him after the operation. How sad that I was not around when he passed away. How sad that I dropped the ball in maintaining communication with him.

Out of sight, out of mind - that's what happens in friendships and families. It's easy to lose touch with one another when one moves. It should not happen, but it does. Our relationships are all that we have to keep us connected as humans. We're it, we're plan A and there is no plan B. Yes, we can have a spiritual connection with God, but God does not want us to disconnect with our families and friends.

So, here's to my friend Reggie Collazzo. A veteran, a father, a brother in Christ, and a friend. I am sorry that I was not there to see you begin your eternal journey, but I know that God was standing waiting for you to arrive on the other side.

Stay in touch with your human friends and family. We are all that we have.

God bless.