Death in the afternoon

[CJS3]

You don't really think about it, but it's always there.

I was working in a new construction home this afternoon, installing computer network wiring, telephone, video, and security wiring. A crew was outside putting stucco on the house. Every now and then I could here them thumping around on the outside of the house, and after a while, I didn't even notice the noise. Around 2 o'clock the noise ended, and after I finally noticed, I just assumned they had taken a break. A short time later a fire truck pulled up outside, and paramedics started unloading their equipment. I was up on the second floor, so I came downstairs to see what had happened.

One of the crew putting on the stucco had fallen off of the scaffolding between the house and the framework of the scaffolding. He was laying on the ground, and the medics were working on him. They got him on a back board and moved him to an ambulance that had just driven up. He didn't appear to be breathing. As the medics started to stow away their gear, I heard one of them tell the constuction superintendent that he had broken his neck and they wouldn't be able to revive him.

I don't know who the guy was, and couldn't tell you anything about him, except he was about my age. There are certain things you take for granted until something happens to demonstrate how fragile your existance is. My fall during hunting season and this stranger's adrupt end made me spend part of this evening talking to my kids and grandkids on the phone. Like I said, I don't know his name, but God does, and I said a prayer for his family.

[m25operator]

You are so right CJ, events often focus us on our own short time, at least his unfortunate demise, has focused you and is making your and your families life closer, although you did not know each other, I am sure He would be pleased.

[Pathfinder]

Thank you for the reminder, CJ, that none of us are promised tomorrow. One of the indie folk singers some time back had a song titled something like "What if you saw God today?" - what would you have to apologize for if you were to leave this mortal coil today instead of planning to "fix" things later on?

Condolences for that young man and his family

[kilopaparomeo]

First time I saw someone die I was about 9 or 10 back in the 70's.  We were at the vet's office picking up vaccine for our hog farm...middle of the summer, early morning and it was already sweltering and humid.  Guy drove up and struggled to get a horse out of his trailer.  Had a heart attack right there.  CPR was administered and the paramedics showed up but he was already blue and had was declared dead.  He was my dad's age.

Sometimes we forget how tenuous life is.

[crusader rabbit]

Sometimes we forget how tenuous life is.

True-dat, KPR.  True-dat.

Even a good life and a great family with wonderful friends doesn't come with a promise of tomorrow.

May God be with the man's family. RIP.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

When you put your boots on in the morning you never know who will take them off.

[Solus]

Live your life as if you won't see tomorrow, not as if there is no tomorrow.

No one knows how much time the might  have left.

Every day might be the last chance you have to tell those you love how much you care.

We all only have so many days left, some of us more some of us less.

Those who might have an idea of the short time they have left might make better use of that time....living every moment, loving every moment and they still might have more time than some who have no need to give their end a thought.

Savor every moment, live every moment, love every moment, whether you think you will live another 100 years of if you think you will be gone in six months.

[MikeBjerum]

This place is getting grim 

I look forward to the days, and they will come around again when it is right, of talking range days and slapping FQ and TAB around 

[tombogan03884]

I figure I have been on extended play since my first heart attack in '03, so I try to live in such a way that if I were to fall to my death this afternoon the only thing I would need to apologize for is my language on the way down.

[JC5123]

I know that I have a pretty hardcore group of guardian angels watching my back. Otherwise I should have gotten the chop several times. I have no delusions however of being invincible. Knowing how close I've come, and bearing witness to some that didn't make it, I make it a point to fit as much life as I can into every day. Never pass up a chance to do something amazing, tell someone you love them, and never waste time on anger.

Condolences to the family.