The beginning of 2023 has had plenty of bittersweet memories, and it’s only March.

Late last month, I heard from a young lady I used to babysit. Her dad passed away. Her dad and my dad were the best of friends when I was growing up. We’d lived in our little town on our dead-end road for maybe a year when the family moved in down the street from us. They had two kids about the same age as my little brother, who is not quite ten years younger than me. Needless to say, I was the designated babysitter whenever E & C wanted a night out. It was a pretty good gig for a fourteen-year-old back in the day. Rest in Peace, Mr. Ed.

A couple of weeks ago, my cousin called to tell me that my uncle had also passed. Out of all my dad’s family, I knew Uncle Ted the best. If my dad was the Lone Wolf of the family, my uncle was the Black Sheep. I loved that man. He wasn’t afraid to skirt the rules and give the finger to authority when necessary, but he looked out for his family and friends. He and my dad were very close, and losing Dad was a blow to him. Then, as with us all, age got the better of him and his old system finally gave in.

Then, Saturday, I learned that a former colleague was in the ICU. They have moved her from intensive care, but it’s still touch-and-go. My heart hurts for her family. Cancer sucks.

This is the toughest part of living, losing friends and family. We lose some to age, others to illness, accidents, or worse. The last three years have been tougher than most, with the pandemic fresh in our minds.

Hug your loved ones. Reach out to those friends and family members you haven’t spoken to in a while. You never know when it’s the last time you’ll talk to them.