"In this sticky web that we're all in, behaving decently is no small task." -- Novelist Stacey D'Erasmo

Sunday, November 3, 2019

A Night to Remember

     This happened to me a couple of years ago. It was sometime in November, which maybe explains why it haunts me to this day.

     It was a cloudy, overcast morning before Thanksgiving. I was still groggy from sleep, and as I drank my coffee I recalled how I had just seen my old friend Phil.

     I'd been sitting in my office at work, behind my desk, looking out through the glass wall. Someone had pasted a notice on the outside of the glass, so I stood up to see what it was. As I circled around my desk, Phil appeared at my doorway -- tall and thin with bushy black hair and a big smile. He came in as though nothing had happened. He was walking a little funny, but gave me his usual throaty laugh.

     "Phil!" I said in astonishment. "You're here!"

     "Yeah, I was just down the hall," he said, pointing outside my door. "Thought I'd come by and say hello."

     He had some papers tucked under one arm, and set them down on the corner of my desk. And that's when I noticed he was using crutches. They were metal, the kind that go halfway up your forearms.

     He caught me looking at the crutches. Then he looked me straight on, with a sly grin on his face. "Yeah, I recovered," he said, acknowledging what I knew. "I'm okay, all except my legs. They don't work too well so I have to use these crutches."

     "Wow," was all I managed to say.

     "It's not too bad," he said reassuringly.

     I still couldn't believe he was here. But his laugh was real, for sure. I looked down at the papers he had dropped on my desk. They were written in some kind of Chinese characters. "That's great, Phil," I said, trying to regain my composure, trying to be cool about it . "So what are these papers?"

     "Oh, yeah, I've got to hand these out to some people," he said. Then, seeing I was puzzled by the strange lettering, he explained, "I've been doing a lot of traveling."

     "That's good," I replied. "Where to?"

     "Well, I've got to get going," Phil said, ignoring my question. Then as he turned to leave, he dropped one of his crutches, but he kept right on going, walking out the door leaning on one crutch and turning the corner. I bent over and picked up the crutch. It was cold in my hand. Then Phil peeked back around the corner. "Oops, forgot my crutch," he chuckled.

     I took a step over toward the door and handed him the crutch. He reached out and took it, then slipped it onto his arm. He turned and hobbled out. "Good to see you," he called over his shoulder as he disappeared down the hallway.

     So what really happened? It took place about ten years ago. Phil came over to the office. He was going to treat me to lunch. He was a few years older than I was and had taken an early retirement package from the company. But he lived nearby and often came by to see old colleagues. He'd told me he'd pick me up; he'd be happy to drive. My office was right by the front door, so that day he pulled up in his Corvette and honked. I saw him out my window, and he waved to me.

     I threw on my jacket, rushed out the door and jumped into the passenger seat. It was an old Corvette. He'd bought it for his wife on her 40th birthday. But by this time she'd gotten a new car, and he was driving the Corvette . . . for sentimental reasons, I think.

     As we headed over to the restaurant we talked about our friends and joked around about various things going on at the office. But I noticed, as he drove, that he handled the steering wheel kind of funny. Was something wrong? I wondered. I didn't say anything. He was talking like the same old Phil. How could anything be wrong?

     Again at lunch, it seemed as though he was awkward -- was there something the matter with his hands? I wasn't sure, and decided he should be the one to bring it up if he wanted to, so I kept my mouth shut. Still, I searched his eyes for some kind of recognition, trying to offer a non-verbal signal that it was okay to tell me if something was wrong. But he didn't pick up on it. His conversation, his attitude, his demeanor all said that everything was fine.

     We finished lunch and Phil dropped me back off at work, laughing and joking and promising to meet up again soon. "So long," I called to him as I closed the car door.

     "Bye bye," he waved.

     It was the next day when I heard the news. Phil was dead. He had committed suicide. He had written a note to his wife and daughter, gulped down a bottle of pills, lay down in bed and died.

     Why? What happened? Everyone wanted to know.

     Phil had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Nobody knew about it except his family. He'd been hiding it. It's a progressive, fatal disease. No cure. No way out. We could only guess what went through his mind -- that he didn't want to be the object of sympathy from his friends, that he didn't want to become a burden to his family, didn't want to subject himself to the indignities of the inevitable heartbreaking decline.

     So he'd ended it on his own terms.

     Phil, I don't know if you did the right thing. Who am I to judge? But, damn, you had a lot of courage. It's been over ten years and I still miss you. But thanks . . . thanks for coming to visit me in the night in my dreams.

15 comments:

Wisewebwoman said...

A powerful post Tom. He sounds like a great friend and he obviously planned his exit well. I've had those kinds of dreams too. They are so vivid they haunt forever.

XO
WWW

DJan said...

We have a friend who let ALS take its natural course, and it was very painful to see the deterioration. I think Phil was very brave but knew it was going to be a difficult journey if he stayed. My condolences to his family and friends.

Tabor said...

ALS is very ugly and steals the person little by little. It was brave of him to go far as he could. We do not really know how we would handle such a situation, do we?

Linda Myers said...

And you, his friend, are left with the memories of him and his choice. Sobering. Thanks for sharing.

Rian said...

Things like that leave lasting impressions, Tom.

Lea said...

It must have been almost impossible to quell the disbelief when you learned of Phil's death having just seen him. At the end, I went back to re-read your opening - was this a visitation? You built your reflection so well....have to say, I've had dreams about deceased loved ones that I know are dreams....and others that feel much more like a visit. Sounds like Phil is keeping in touch. Thank you for this tale of lasting friendship.

Tom said...

Yeah, ALS is ugly alright. We just heard about a neighbor in his 30s who was recently diagnosed. Phil was in his early 60s. At least he'd had a chance at a life.

jono said...

Once in a while I get visits in my dreams of people I loved who are gone now. Maybe Phil will stop by for a visit. He did what he thought was best for those he cared about.

Olga said...

He certainly left his mark in life as your fond memories attest.

Laurie Stone said...

Tom, This was so sad. I know three people who have passed from this disease and its one of the cruelest. I don't think any of us know how we'd react in the same boat. I understand Phil's need to do things on his own terms, to go when he was ready rather than face all that suffering. On the other hand, that's a tough decision. So sorry for your loss.

Karen D. Austin said...

Oh, that is a difficult diagnosis to process. I tell myself how I would react if I learn that I have cancer or a degenerative disease or have a stroke that leaves me with problems with mobility or cognition. But I really don't know how I will respond until I face those (or other) health challenges. All my best to you and all who are bereft of Phil. May his legacy burn bright in the memories of those whose lives he's touched.

Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com said...

Hi Tom! Yes very sad about your friend--and sad for you too. Not easy to see a person one day and learn he is gone the next. And interesting that you dreamt about him. And what was the paper he handed you? if it were me I'm thinking I would feel a little guilt for not asking him what was wrong during your lunch when you could tell something wasn't right. I'm guessing that is easier for women than men. Regardless, I am sure that he felt your concern and appreciated your friendship very much. In the end, isn't that all we can do for one another? And what a great reminder for us all to support one another while we can. ~Kathy

Arkansas Patti said...

I did not see that coming and I am glad you had such a clear visit from him in your dream. One last--or maybe not--visit with his friend.
How sad how you lost him but it was on his terms. He couldn't tell you for he probably feared you might stop him. He not only ended his own suffering but the suffering of all those who loved him and would have hated seeing what the disease would do.
Beautiful post.

gigi-hawaii said...

Powerful dream, powerful story.

oldwahoo said...


Wow. Very good, moving post.