We will all be there sooner or later: someone we love will become sick, their lives will be hanging, not by a thread, but by far too many tubes, monitors, catheters, whirring machines, monitors, and electrodes pasted all over their bodies. It might be a close family member, or it might be, as it was for me, an old friend who, though far from my daily life, remains close to my heart.
There are a few people like this: we live apart, in different states, in different countries, yet it doesn't matter if we can't see each other, a friend is a friend is a friend. Forever. Ken is a friend. One who never liked hugging or effusive behavior. Who would look at you quizzically, if you told him that you would miss him over Winter break and say: "Really?" forcing you to admit that yes, it was just a figure of speech. You were going home, your were rejoining your high school sweetheart, of course you weren't literally going to miss him. But the truth is, I do miss you Ken, really, I do.
No one else could make me laugh with a story which should make anyone cry. When Ken got sick I needed to DO something, to MAKE something. This is what I did.
There are a few people like this: we live apart, in different states, in different countries, yet it doesn't matter if we can't see each other, a friend is a friend is a friend. Forever. Ken is a friend. One who never liked hugging or effusive behavior. Who would look at you quizzically, if you told him that you would miss him over Winter break and say: "Really?" forcing you to admit that yes, it was just a figure of speech. You were going home, your were rejoining your high school sweetheart, of course you weren't literally going to miss him. But the truth is, I do miss you Ken, really, I do.
No one else could make me laugh with a story which should make anyone cry. When Ken got sick I needed to DO something, to MAKE something. This is what I did.
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After hearing about how Ken's long brain surgery was followed, after a few hours of calm, by a stroke and a heart attack, I did what I often do to calm down: I walked my dog. Staring across the east river at the city lights I thought, not just of Ken, but of all his friends, all around the world, who were thinking of him, and hoping for him, and wishing they had a fraction of his talent for expressing their thoughts. Did I mention he's a brilliant writer? I'm not British, so when I say brilliant I actually mean brilliant, exceptional, amazing. I don't mean OK, pretty cool.
That's when my brilliant (yes, brilliant) idea struck me: forget words! I would take a picture, I would show Ken where I was when I was thinking of him. I would also ask all his friends, all over the world, to do the same. Then I would make a book with all our pictures to send to him. Then I would sell the book, and give the profits directly to him.
Though he had never said a word about it, I could figure out the math. Primary bread winner gets sick. Spouse must take care of two young children and husband, so can't work either. Income = minus, expenses = plus. This is a common math formula when illness strikes.
That's when my brilliant (yes, brilliant) idea struck me: forget words! I would take a picture, I would show Ken where I was when I was thinking of him. I would also ask all his friends, all over the world, to do the same. Then I would make a book with all our pictures to send to him. Then I would sell the book, and give the profits directly to him.
Though he had never said a word about it, I could figure out the math. Primary bread winner gets sick. Spouse must take care of two young children and husband, so can't work either. Income = minus, expenses = plus. This is a common math formula when illness strikes.
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Thank you for forwarding this to your friends. The hardest thing when someone you love gets sick is the feeling of helplessness, and putting together a book like this really really helps. Not just the sick friend, but the whole community of people who care.
Oh but your wrong, I think theres many people who do the long distance friendship thing. I count myself among Those :).
Arent They just Great :)? But it always worries me-what if *something* happens and Im not there? Im always a phone call away from most, but they seem to dislike the phone (except for emergencies :/ )
I tend to think we are closer to long distance friends than physical ones. :)
This non-profit will set up a tax deductible account were donors get tax deductions and the account holder gets tax free money.
dwc
Thanks for the idea though, it's an excellent one, and if I find a link to the page which deals with medical savings accounts I'll update this instructable.
It stands for National Transplant Assistance Fund but they do help people set up other medical accounts.
Good luck!!
But also your courage make me feel better.
Thank you for being like this.
Thank you to be there for your friend and his family.
When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends. - Japanese Proverb
Biggsy
Every honest effort to help--changes everything.
Often in ways unexpected.
It gets my vote.