A few months ago a guy at work passed away. He was 27, had a child, went home one day and his heart just gave out. Now I didn’t know Abdul all that well. He was a security guard in my building, but from time to time I would see him out back while we both were smoking (yeah, I know, dont preach to me) and we would talk football, basketball, all the manly stuff.
But for some reason his passing has stayed with me over the past few months. Perhaps because he was so young (8yrs younger than me) but today it kinda of hit me as to why it has bothered me. In a nutshell, this guy died, and nobody seemed to notice. I couldn’t even find an Obit for the guy. I didn’t even hear about his death until a few days after, and I missed the service.
So tonight I felt compelled to share this with you all. Not that I expect kind words, or sympathy; as I said, I didn’t know him that well really. But I would just like to leave some mark, somewhere, of the fact that a nice guy lived and died and it was just sensless.
The funny thing about Abdul was, you wouldn’t have thought him a nice guy. Most people would probably have clutched thier bags and crossed the street if you saw him on a street corner. And I admit I had the same thoughts when I first met him. But after our many talks I came to realize he was just a guy, trying his best to get by with all the same fears and anxieties we all have. He was funny, outspoken, and he had a honesty about him that you just had to acknowledge. While we never truly got to be friends, I think I will always feel like I lost a friend in him.
So to my friend Abdul, I wish I had known you better, I wish we had a few beers and watched your Eagles kick my Redskins butt! I hope wherever you are you are at peace and happy and that the child you left behind grows up to healthy and wise. And that someday he may know he had a father who loved him.
27 is much too young. Especially so with children; that makes it especially tough. I attended a funeral today for man who lived to be 87. We should all be so lucky. Those funerals, it seems, are more celebratory in nature. It’s as if we’re relieved that the deceased had a good, long life. I’m attending another funeral this Saturday for a 20 year old who died while swimming. Those funerals are tough. He was much too young, as was Abdul, with so much life ahead of them.
I agree with Scruloose, 27 is way too fucking young. I’m so sorry that Abdul is gone and I hope that he rests in peace, but know that he’d be honored by such a wonderful tribute. I appreciate you sharing and am grateful for just one more reason to feel blessed, even from afar.
Also my condolences to you too Scruloose. Despite knowing that someone led a long and happy life, it’s never easy to let them go. And then to think you’ll follow that up with someone even younger and who died so tragically.
Dob, you knew Abdul as a good person, and a guy you might not normally acknowledge as a friend, but daily time spent proved him to you. He was taken so soon. You’ve remembered him well in writing here. I guess the best lesson to keep close to your heart is that this happens all the time, every day, with all people everywhere. The connection that made you write about Abdul is the connection to all others we should strive for. Not to get too preachy; but appreciating those around us is a fine goal. Thanks for the good reminder.