I just found out, quite by accident, that my friend, Dale Weber passed away in his sleep in September of 2020, just a few weeks before I lost my Dad. I'm almost just as glad that I didn't find out about his passing until the enormity of my father's loss had dulled somewhat. I was surfing Facebook, which I only occasionally frequent and noticed a post from his son, mentioning his father followed by RIP. I knew then that I had missed something and googled Dale's name in North Carolina where he had retired and sure enough, his obit popped right up. Once I get the website going again, I'll post his obit on the memorial page.
The one thing I can tell you is that Dale was always the consummate smart ass; and he was witty and funny. He always had a wise crack that was subvoiced just loud enough to be overheard. He infuriated gym teachers, substitute teachers, and many other voices of authority that frequented the high school. He popped many a self righteous bubble. And later in life, he took the most beautiful sunset pictures from his backyard in Seven Lakes NC. We conversed briefly on Facebook after he would post these spectacular panoramic views and we'd joke with each other like we did in school.
What I learned from this is that you have to reach out to high school friends acquaintances and buddies, because when you wonder what ever happened to so and so, as often as not at our age, you find out that they are no longer available to reach out to. The same can be said about the lunch Linda and I had with Carol Vanderway in Nashville. We had a grand time. Given the time we could have annoyed the wait staff at McCormick's Irish Pub even more but we had to go to a Grand Ole Opry performance. During that visit, we talked about, among other things, the people we met in high school that we didn't engage with fully, just passing in halls with a Hi howyadoin. I know that when I was searching you all out, I had many conversations that made me think that this person could have been a lifelong friend if I had taken the time. And sure enough, as often as not, I discovered that it was too late to develop such a friendship and so with great regret, I bid Dale a fond farewell.
So the next time you wonder about someone, look 'em up and get reacquainted. It's never too late until it is.
