bikergeek6249
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He was 75. Cancer got him. We'd all hoped he'd be around a good while longer; his dad had lived to 94, and died a few years ago.
He was an LGBTQ+ activist for decades and went to some of the first Pride marches in Boston in the '70s, post Stonewall. Provided counseling for the queer community through some of the worst of the AIDS epidemic in the '80s. Told me he kept a suit hanging in his office in case he had to go to a funeral on short notice; that was an all too common occurrence back then.
He was legally blind and retired at (IIRC) some point in the early '90s when his eyesight got too bad for him to work any more. I can imagine he was also mentally exhausted after doing that kind of work during the AIDS crisis.
A most excellent person and as much as I miss him and wish he were still with us, I'm glad he doesn't have to put up with the misery the 47 administration is about to wreak on the LGBTQ+ community and on the disabled as well.
May he rest in peace.
TheFastpaws
My aunt Kathy died a horrible death. The taking away of medical would have killed her in a worse way than that. I dunno how I'm supposed to feel about it either. I'd rather she have not died or would have died at all.
cepacolusmaximus
looking at the state of the world?
UncomfortableTruths
I'm sorry. He sounded like a good guy. 😔
mercyPandaRunner
The phrase "may you live in interesting times" is the lowest in a trilogy of Chinese curses that continue "may you come to the attention of those in authority" and finish with "may the gods give you everything you ask for." I have no idea about its authenticity.
-Terry Pratchett
It's not terrible of you to find solace in your friend not having to go through this time. You don't wish him dead. You find solace in the face of grief by knowing he's not suffering right now. That's healthy grieving.
chefsoda
Have a hug.
My father passed in Feb of 2016. As a 50 year resident of NYC, and knowledge of Donald Trump actually is, it's some comfort that he never saw him become president.
bikergeek6249
Thank you. And I grew up 20 miles from NYC, I knew he was a grifter for a long time.
Kasemoch
My brother passed last year in July. The only good thing is that he didn't have to see Trump get re-elected - it would have been unbearable for him.
NotYourLady
He sounds like an amazing human with so much compassion and empathy. You should be proud to have known him. He definitely earned a restful eternity for all his good deeds.
yakuzaeyes
Your friend sounds like a great person. I'm glad you got to know them. From someone dealing with grief to another; Forgive yourself for thoughts you wish you didn't have. You don't get extra points for suffering. A bad person wouldn't dwell on the morality of the situation.
tomatoisabsrry
A good friend of mine died on December 23, 2019, and I just thank the stars she didn't live to see COVID. She would have been in a constant state of anxiety and terror and probably died anyway.
zombire
Troubled times these are. Sorry for your loss.
bikergeek6249
thank you.
acuteavocado7
its not terrible at all! you loved him and didn't want him to suffer 💜 the threat is very real and your concerns are warranted. there's a good chance that your sentiment ends up being just factual
HeywouldJablowme
My mother died in may. I spent a lot of time worrying about when they were going to take away her Medicare and social security. At least I don't have to worry about that anymore right?
Imalwaysready
My wife died nearly five years ago and the only solace I have taken is in regularly thinking that at least she did t have to see all this bullshit that’s happened since.
UseYourVoice
There's nothing wrong in being glad your friend doesn't have to face what's going on; my aunt passed away before the fascist pedophile got elected the first time, and I'm glad she was spared from enduring everything he's done to this country.
cuttlesquirt42
Nah. I think how lucky Robin Williams and Betty White were to never see this downfall.
ispendtomuchtimehere
my father passed right before Covid..well played.
sirbartonslady
mine died about half a year before Covid started cropping up (he died in June 2019) and we were so relieved, when it hit the US full force, that he was already gone. We would've ended up sick with it the first year if he'd still be with us, because of his dialysis every week -- there's no way it wouldn't have ended up infecting him and then us.
CoeurFranc
The same goes for my father-in-law, who was sick and hospitalized. Throughout the pandemic, there wasn't a day that went by when we didn't say to each other how glad he was to have died before it started.
Jessa26
My mom passed on March 16, 2020. They claimed she died of pneumonia. We're pretty sure it was covid. We all got sick shortly after. The gentleman who handled her for the funeral home caught something that turned into pneumonia and died 2 weeks after handling her. He was elderly. She was 62. I'm oddly thankful she never had to deal with the pandemic and now Trump and his Trumpets.
Autittuderp
We are allowed to miss someone and know this life was a struggle for them. Holding space for both of those things...knowing how hard it would be to see the decline in the progress once made and at the same time understanding his progress mattered...is all ok. I'm sorry you are missing your friend.
Isorikk
75 is a good run. We can only hope to have people that might miss us at that age.
filteredcontextmeme
Screw cancer. They are in a better place and no longer in pain though. Let them enjoy their rest
dwolvin
{hug} What a good dude.
bikergeek6249
Thank you.
MultiFacets
I think the same thing about one of my dearest friends. She wasn't gonna survive another Trump presidency.
jrabbitmusic
Lost my best friend in 2019 - and yes, he left us just in time… still stings like a bitch
StrangePaegan
As much as my heart was broken when my husband died a few years ago, I'm glad he's not witnessing current events. He'd be so stressed and afraid for his family, I and our two daughters.
Navrodel
He would have insisted on fighting this newest brand of horse shit.
Some people deserve to have their rest, and it sounds like he more than earned his.
Best you can do is fight in the ways he'd wish he could.
Dissipo
75 is a good run
sirbartonslady
Given how the world went to shit last year and this year, I'm... glad my parents are already gone. I miss them so much but my mom in particular would be absolutely miserable with all this bullshit Trump is doing.
bikergeek6249
My mom was born in Germany in 1933. She died 20 years ago. I'm glad she didn't have to live through this a second time.
xcelita
That's also the silver lining of my dad passing in 2014. He didn't know that Bill Cosby was a rapist and never saw Trump running for office.
RedgrintGrumble
I’m sorry for your loss, they sound like an awesome person and like others have already said, you’re not terrible for posting this. One of the best things our dearly departed leave us with are the memories we were lucky enough to make with them. Hold onto that and please don’t feel afraid or ashamed in whatever helps you gain peace. Loss is hard.
vincentleeprice
My sister for the last 10 years struggled with her health and it rapidly aged her. She passed away 2 years ago. She would not have survived the Medicade cut and would have suffered. Me and my mom said she passed away at the right time.
azarza
man, what a hero. RIP and my condolences
bikergeek6249
Thank you.