Today one of my long term friends is in a coma after a major brain bleed at midnight. He's 59, on life support only with little hope of waking up. His wife is turning off the support Monday and donating any or all organs possible as that was his wish in the event of a tragedy.
I'm gutted, we spoke every day for 30 years. I hung up yesterday at 4pm telling him I'll speak with you tomorrow. Sadly that's not going to happen. 😢
Recently another friend died at 50 suddenly and under suspicious circumstances.
I'm 65 and living my best life, my advice to everyone is to cherish today. It's so easily taken away.
So sorry to hear this Chris. Losing such a close friend is brutally hard.
My sympathies, wise words spoken.
I'm 69 in a few days and will heed your advice.
Wishing you well.
That's a damn hard thing Chris. I certainly feel for ya mate.
Chris, so sad. Life can be very tough. 2 yrs today, Aust GP, best mate whole life, he went, pics &emails from stands. Email Monday he said worn out from weekend. Tuesday drove himself to hospital, never came out.Ive had a good innings,we never know whats next.
Sad news Chris, human life is quite fragile and unfortunately no one gets out alive. Just have to make the best of it while you've got the chance.
Today rode up to meet a mate at the Auckland Motorcycle Show.
We wandered around the show for hours looking at bikes and talking shite, taking the piss and having a laugh. When we parted we shook hands, I said how good it was to see him and how much I'd enjoyed his company. His reply, "likewise Col". We have enjoyed nearly fifty years of friendship.
Sorry for you Chris that your long friendship with your mate has been drawn to a close.
I"ve been there. I understand and accompany him........ life is very short and we are not wise in youth
Sad and shocking news.
Sympathies to his family and to you as well Chris.
Very sad news Chris, I hope to God by some miracle he pulls through, as I'm sure everyone does. It's 100% correct what you say about cherishing the day, you just never know whats coming next
So such sad news
Nothing to say except thinking or you all .
I can't help but will support you all.
I'm going through my own trials so fully understand what your going through 😢
Thankyou all for your support and comments.
I'm going to be brave and visit him today with Bobbie's help.
I'm a Buddhist so in my philosophy I won't grieve his passing. We celebrate the life of the person and Ian has led a very diverse life and touched many many people in a positive way.
Me included, we met when I was a Snap-on Tools dealer in 1995 and he was our IT consultant.
I thought who is this weirdo ?
He's a bloody autistic buffoon I thought. How wrong I was, once we spent time together one on one sorting laptop issues it was like opposites attract. All the years, all the personal issues he was always there.
I'll miss him terribly I know but as they say life goes on.
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Quote from: seth on Sunday, 19 October 2025, 07:19 AMSo such sad news
Nothing to say except thinking or you all .
I can't help but will support you all.
I'm going through my own trials so fully understand what your going through 😢
Sorry to hear that Seth. Hope all turns out ok.
Life indeed is short. Best to share it with the ones who appreciate you :smitten: .
Only at "our" age, we just about start to realize how true the saying "time is a given" is. Losing friends sucks. It truely emphasises how brief our existince is and often is a wake up call to reflect on what is important to you.
Been there, done that.
I lost a friend in 2006 due to a stupid sea food allergy and to this day, i still want to share / tag him . Or reference him with newer friends. As i type this, i notice his loss still moves me. The few tears are now quickly followed by a huge grin as a result of the stupid stuff we did. So glad there weren't that many camera's ( speed / traffic or smartphones) around back then. :tongue: :smoke:
All the best. :hat:
Sorry to hear Chris. Life is so short and we never know what may be around the corner or what tomorrow may or may not bring. We can only value friendships and cherish memories of those present and who sadly have passed and live life to the max whilst we are still able.
Todays news fits this subject. My best Mate for years, then about four years or so we parted ways Not sure what happened, just did. He passed this morning, still a cold horrible memory bringing thing to happen.
Condolences for your loss Grog.
Well they pulled the plug this morning and Ian passed away almost instantly the respirator was turned off. He would never have felt any pain according to the neurosurgeon. Such a big bleed it leaked over to the right side also. He has donated his organs for others who may be ill.
I'm going to miss his daily phone calls.
I feel angry now that he never sought treatment for his high blood pressure.
May he RIP 🪦 :cheers:
RIP Ian
Condolences Chris.
A very honourable gift to be an organ donor too, hopefully those gifts can improve the lives of others.
Sorry for your loss Chris, the good seem to be taken too soon.
Sounds like a peaceful passing Chris...a blessing.
You may be angry, and it can be a good vent for grief, which surfaces in all sorts of ways, sometimes it's better than sitting with pain. Regardless of your faith, or lack of for some of us, there's always a part of us that needs to grieve what is gone. For some, getting a health issue sorted is just taking some steps to do the thing, for others it can feel like not living things to the best or meddling in things that are meant to be. Wishing your mate the best journey he's had yet, and that you can find solace in knowing you had the pleasure of spending decent time with him, on this oh so short innings we have. Be good to yourself bud and grieve well.
Sorry for your loss Chris, condolences to the family and yourself. Thankfully you have plenty of great memories to look back on & remember Ian with, which will always be with you
Condolences Chris, but don't be angry - whilst the circumstances were not what anyone would have wanted it did nevertheless sound like he had a peaceful passing which I'm is what he would have wanted.
@grog - sorry to hear about your mate as well, my condolences.
I guess none of us are getting any younger. let's all Live life to the fullest extent we can, we never know what tomorrow may or may not bring.
Today was Ian's cremation and ceremony.
We're away on holidays so were invited to livestream, it was exactly what he would've wanted, extremely irreverent and loads of swearing and inappropriate comments in his memory of course. I now know my relationship with him wasn't entirely unique other than the daily phone calls.
He was selfless and just wanted to make people feel empowered and happy.
I'm sad with his passing in such terrible circumstances and gladdened that his organs were donated and will help many others he didn't know.
Good that you could participate Chris. The memories will remain after the sadness passes.
I lost my next door neighbour this year, hadn't known him that long but we absolutely were on the same wavelength. The person I got on best with within 100 miles!
Lost a mate recently, Clive who I'd known for 50 years, an absolute top bloke who did well in the Grenadier Guards, loved his bikes, an all round good guy.
I've never changed jobs frequently, I like the stability of long term employment, but being in industries that were somewhat risky and attracted guys with a more carefree lifestyle, I have quite a list of folk who are now gone.
I also come from a large family with a whole heap of aunts and uncles, all a lot older than me, who seem to pop off the perch quite regularly! Biggest suprised is my elderly parents who seem determined to outlive me!
It's not something I stress over, but it's 100% in my thoughts. As my wife pointed out my parents worked and saved and invested to the extreme, now they sit and do nothing as they are too old and crook to enjoy the rewards.
I know what a poor investment my bikes are, but I partly justify it with the fact my bike days are limited, as are my days above ground.
Not being morbid but definitely food for thought.
The ideal day to die is the one all your lines of credit dry up & you've enjoyed every penny of the bank's money before going.
Indeed, die owing the bank a million quid & no assets! Life well lived. :cheers:
It's your money, spend it. That's what I kept telling my parents, and now just my mum.
I plan to have sod all left, so far it's working well :lol: it's not as if I've got anyone I'd want to leave it to anyway, scum sister creature & it's offspring sure aren't getting it.
Not really the same, but not sure where to post it.
Occasionally I've used a local mechanics workshop in a little local town. The young girl in reception was really nice, super easy to get on with, always polite and helpful, but she obviously knew the trade. For a youngster she'd quote what was was and wasn't included, how long stuff took, what was or wasn't recommended from memory, she was a great front for the business and it was always a pleasure to see her.
Her sister just let locals know that she committed suicide 2 days ago.
Obviously a lot going on we didn't know about.
R.I.P Olivia / Pixie.
Poor kid.
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Tuesday, 04 November 2025, 02:41 PMNot really the same, but not sure where to post it.
Occasionally I've used a local mechanics workshop in a little local town. The young girl in reception was really nice, super easy to get on with, always polite and helpful, but she obviously knew the trade. For a youngster she'd quote what was was and wasn't included, how long stuff took, what was or wasn't recommended from memory, she was a great front for the business and it was always a pleasure to see her.
Her sister just let locals know that she committed suicide 2 days ago.
Obviously a lot going on we didn't know about.
R.I.P Olivia / Pixie.
Poor kid.
Tragic. Suicide is the third leading cause of death, worldwide, among 15-29 year olds. Much is being done to address this, but, as aways, more can be done.
Very sad to hear, condolences, especially in a small tight knit country community it would hit hard. I have 3 teenage daughters, and mental health is such an issue.
Have the conversations with your family, neighbours, friends and people in your community circles.
So sad Tony. In my view, those that do it rarely talk about actually doing it.
Heartbreaking for those that loved her.
Rest easy young lady.
I'm 72 and sadly the older I get the more mates I'm losing ... mates for life are a rare thing and when you are lucky enough to have them it's a real bitch to lose them.