WHEN PEOPLE DIE

When people die the first thing usually said is "well, now they are at peace", or "they are with so-and-so in heaven". I often wonder if there is enough room in heaven for generations of spirits to fit, to float around, to find each other and talk to each other. I wonder if my Mom has had a conversation with Auntie Margaret, or if Auntie Cugie is yelling at her.

I have two friends who died during my college/earlier years. Both too young and both unfair. For some reason this morning I wonder if Harvey and Susan have ever seen each other in heaven.

Harvey
Harvey Chu drowned when we went to Jones Beach one day, I think while we were still in college. I have no idea why we decided to float so far out on our raft and recall someone yelling, "help, help" but not realizing it was him. I didn't run to look when everyone else did, -- probably for the better would have been a shock to see his dead body on the beach. I remember thinking it was the worse day of my life, but 30 years later, it seems like a blip on the memory screen. I kind of had a crush on him, so I always wondered what would have happened.

Susan
Susan, Tarzanna, was my best friend for so many years. We played basketball together. We were friends until I started dating David who she dumped for Frank in SF. She never spoke to me after my wedding which I didn't invite her to because she called me a "part time friend". I called her other things, but not to her face, but really wanted to tell her she didn't have the decency to break up with David before she was with Frank in SF. Glad I never said those things, she died way too young of breast cancer when pregnant with her second child. I never knew she had cancer and I never knew she died until years later. We never had the chance to say goodbye. I remember the time I took her to see the play "Nine" for her birthday - got half price tickets and we sat in one of the boxes on the balcony where you feel like the Queen. When we went home she told me I was just about the best friend a person could ever have because she was not the type to come out and say you are my best friend.

People often wish they had a chance to say something to loved ones before they die and I'm no different. I wonder if they've ever seen each other in heaven, and what they would say.