I had this friend, Nick, for almost 10 years. We hadn't spoken in a few years and I was just talking about him about a week ago with a mutual friend. I went to visit his website, considered writing him but thought better of it. Had to get something else done.

Two days ago I got a short note from his sister that he had passed away in his sleep, unexpectedly. Needless to say, I'm STILL in shock. We weren't best friends in the world, but there were few people who knew more than Nick. About anything.

I wanted to share a post Nick wrote a few years ago on life and how he wanted to live his.

"I think there would be little point to life if it did not end in death. I do not give up on life simply because it ends in death. Rather, life is much more meaningful and important because of its perishable nature. I only have one life to live, and I want to make the most of it."

Just a reminder to do so.

Matt, I'm so, so sorry to hear your friend passed away so unexpectedly. It's good to see you putting across such a positive post in regards to your loss.



(We had a shock this weekend too - my husband's best friend's 19 year old son was in a serious car accident and although he has a huge amount of injuries, which will take months of recovery, he's alive but it made Paul and I stop and think long and hard about how fragile, uncertain and momentary life can be.)

sorry matt. i really never know what to say in these times. so big hug.

What incredibly wise and wonderful words from your friend. It sounds like he did make the most of his time here.

Hey Matt...I am sorry for your loss.

Thanks for giving us a glimpse of who Nick was and how he lived his life; definitely a fresh reminder that life IS fragile and great care needs to be taken when living out each day.

Sorry to hear that Matt, it's always tough when people we know are taken before we think they should. Sounds like he knew what he was doing with his life though and he made the most of what he was given. It's a lesson that we need to hear over and over...don't take anything or any day for granted!

Thanks for his words

Sorry to hear this Matt. Great words from your friend to always remember, Im sure these words will leave a lasting impression on others.

wow, matt, sorry to hear about your friend. i will be thinking of you and his family. his words are very wise - we never know how much time we have. he has inspired me to live more fully today.

So sorry to hear about your friend, Matt.

About a year and a half ago an old friend found me on myspace and I wanted to write him back but was getting ready to leave for vacation and didn't get a chance to... I got a phone call while on vacation that he died in a car accident - just 3 months after returning home from Iraq. Your friend's words are a great reminder to live life to the fullest and I'm sure that you, just as I was in my situation, are much more aware that you can't always put off sending someone a note to let them know you're thinking of them.

Matt...I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Thanks for sharing his words of wisdom. It is a great reminder for us all!

Steph

Hi Matt,

I'm very sorry for your loss, and that of his family and other friends.

I saw a saying on a sign at WPPI that I liked, it said: Plan like you're going to live forever, live like you've only got today.

Enjoy today,

~Bill

I am very sorry for the loss of your friend. From what you wrote he sounds like he was an amazing person.

Thank you for sharing that.

I know it must be a shock to you...I lost a friend a couple of years ago and I still think about him. I hadn't talked to him in a couple of years and just by chance ran into him about two weeks before he died. It's hard and I don't know what to say to make you feel better....but just know we are all thinking about you during this hard time.

blessings to you, your family, and the family and friends of Nick

I am so sorry about the loss of your friend. I really liked what he had to say. Thanks for sharing.

hugs, and thanks for the reminder

my sympathies & special thanks for the priority check

I am so sorry to hear about this Matt. Hugs and prayers to you and to his family.

Adding to tonight's to-do-before-I-go-to-sleep list. Must email those two people who have been on my mind.

Matt, I'm sorry to hear about Nick. Losing someone is never easy.

It sounds like he had the right attitude about life. Thanks for sharing.

Hugs Matt...

What a wonderful outlook Nick had on life!!

Matt,

I am so sorry that you are going through this...losing someone you love is always hard to deal with. Hang in there buddy and if you need anything, we are all here for you!

Hugs!

Thanks everyone - it is what it is, right? Nick was an "intellectual mentor" for me while I was in college. We strayed apart over the last few years as his life stayed in education & philosophy and mine has obviously grown into photography. Nick was a very strong personality, love him or hate him, to everyone who met him. I did both during my life and his. lol

Anyhoo - thanks for the support and I do hope you take his words to heart. A week ago he was working as a teacher, enjoying the new school, looking forward to his summer plans. Plan for today and tomorrow, too.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, and that of his family. I think his words are so meaningful and true....

Sorry to hear about your friend. It really makes you stop and think about what is really important in life. I think I will go hug my grandbabies and tell my family how much I love them. We are praying for you and his family.

Words to live by indeed, thanks for the reminder. Sorry for your loss...
j

Hey there my best friend of about 10 years just died a year ago too. We were the bestest of friends from elementary through highschool and after highschool we both went our own ways. I always always thought about her and would still consider her my best friend but never called her or wrote her on myspace or anything. I just took her for being invisible and thought she would always be there. Well I got the awful call my dad one morning that she had died in a car accident. I didnt even tell her I was pregnant.... anyways now if I ever get the urge to call someone I do it right away. I know what you are going through my friend. It sucks, but remember that he did the same thing, he still considered you his friend and he still loved you the same as he did 10 years ago. You will always be friends, he knows you loved him!!

So sorry to hear about your friend ....