I got a call Saturday night that a good friend of mine had passed away. He had gone through some rough spots in his life and had unfortunately not spoken to his son in quite some time, not because he didn't want to.

This past Thursday my friends room mate found him at his dining room table dead. It wasn't a wife, or son, or daughter, or even a sibling that found him. In fact, I know that this room mate had not known him too long. Old Half-Bent Bill had done a lot of good for a lot of people and he will be sorely missed. He deserved more.

I post this because I haven't spoken to my father in 2 years. This is my doing and his. I know that for most of the world this past Sunday was father's day and my hard headedness refused to allow me to call my father.

If anyone here has ever had a problem with any family member please think about my friend Bill. Life truly is too short not to spend it with those we love.

Thanks everyone for letting me be a little sappy.

Jarhead, I'm really sorry to hear about your friend and troubles with your dad. Family can be hard sometimes.

God bless.

My condolences to you and Bill's family

I know how you feel Jarhead. Went through the same thing with my father this past Christmas. On top of all of the other stress it was not something that I wanted to happen. Three months later till we started talking again and he lives right next door. Made for some long days and nights. Well, you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose but you can't pick your family. Life is too short for things like that to happen.

I got a call Saturday night that a good friend of mine had passed away. He had gone through some rough spots in his life and had unfortunately not spoken to his son in quite some time, not because he didn't want to.

This past Thursday my friends room mate found him at his dining room table dead. It wasn't a wife, or son, or daughter, or even a sibling that found him. In fact, I know that this room mate had not known him too long. Old Half-Bent Bill had done a lot of good for a lot of people and he will be sorely missed. He deserved more.

I post this because I haven't spoken to my father in 2 years. This is my doing and his. I know that for most of the world this past Sunday was father's day and my hard headedness refused to allow me to call my father.

If anyone here has ever had a problem with any family member please think about my friend Bill. Life truly is too short not to spend it with those we love.

Thanks everyone for letting me be a little sappy.

Jarhead, my man, no it is not sappy. VERY good post, I am on the father end here. Good post for all to really reflect, Tanker said it well,life is so short, despertly short:(

God bless your friend & God bless you too jarhead. You are not alone and never will be.

I got a call Saturday night that a good friend of mine had passed away. He had gone through some rough spots in his life and had unfortunately not spoken to his son in quite some time, not because he didn't want to.

This past Thursday my friends room mate found him at his dining room table dead. It wasn't a wife, or son, or daughter, or even a sibling that found him. In fact, I know that this room mate had not known him too long. Old Half-Bent Bill had done a lot of good for a lot of people and he will be sorely missed. He deserved more.

I post this because I haven't spoken to my father in 2 years. This is my doing and his. I know that for most of the world this past Sunday was father's day and my hard headedness refused to allow me to call my father.

If anyone here has ever had a problem with any family member please think about my friend Bill. Life truly is too short not to spend it with those we love.

Thanks everyone for letting me be a little sappy.

JH I'm very sorry to hear of your friend.

As has been said here family can be difficult sometimes and there are no doubt many of us that have experienced rough patches with our folkes, regardless of how old we and they get.

I can only say that I wish the best for you and your Dad and hope that the future will bring to the best outcome for your both.

And don't worry about being sappy, it's called being human mate and we all have to do it from time to time.

Thanks to all of you. I have to tell you how awesome last night was. It was awesome, because I walked into the wake and their had to be close to 200 people there. What made it even better is that it was the second viewing of the day. I found out that Bill's brother had gotten in touch with the son and he was at the wake. I didn't get to meet him but I did find out that had spoken just a couple of months ago. I'm not sure of the results but at least I know he had that chance that he hadn't had in a few years.

Which brings me to my last point. As I said, there were over 200 people there. If you have friends of family you haven't spoken to lately, give them a call. Drop by and chat with them. Invite them over for dinner. Make sure that a wake isn't what brings your friends together.

Thanks again everyone and Semper Fi.

The irony of most family disputes stems from something so trivial and in time forgotten easily. We only remember the hurt and not the cause.

You’re a good man Jarhead.

In closing, I’d like to share this with you:

“Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem." - President Ronald Wilson Reagan, 1981-1989

Life is too short to spend it in anger and regret. RIP Bill.