Michael, I'm sorry to read of the loss of your friend.
As you intimated, none of us know what is around the corner and yet we all, more often than not, ignore that and often let silly things distract, frustrate, or annoy us.
I've had life throw a few signifiant 'curve balls' at me over recent years and I've come to realise that I view that the clarity of 'time is precious' is akin to a fuel tank; something awful reminds us of that message, the tank is filled up, and then, over time, life returns to a modicum of normality, the aspects of daily life take over, and the clarity tank slowly depletes until it is soon running on fumes again, with the lesson back far down the road, where the tank was still full.
I try to remind myself not to allow the tank to deplete but that is a challenge and perhaps human nature; it could be that we don't want to focus on our own mortality or that life simply gets busy and pondering life takes a back seat.
What I do know is that you story is all too common and one familiar to me and my wider friendship group.
A little further from home, I recently logged onto a web site, not dissimilar to TM - a niche community for a hobby - only to find that the chap who ran it had passed away after an extended illness. I hadn't logged onto the site in about 12-months and was saddened to read of his passing. The site had not only helped grow my knowledge and enthusiasm but also fostered online and offline friendships based around it. The forum has operated for as long as I can remember and I've been a member for nearly two decades. Although I had spoken with him on a few occasions on the phone, as well as interacting with him on the site, I really didn't know him; therefore, I was surprised at how sad I was to read of his passing. Perhaps it was a reminder to fill the clarity tank or perhaps it was a reminder that things taken for granted can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Either way, I can relate to your post.
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