A Sad Day on Mead Street

Our neighbor across the street died on Friday, and yesterday the house was full of people… Rob had diabetes, and has deteriorated slowly but steadily for years -- a kidney transplant that didn’t work out (his wife was the donor -- incredible story), both legs amputated, in and out of the hospital with various infections. We had all gotten used to the ambulance that pulled up at their house regularly at 5 am so he could get his dialysis. His wife, mother-in-law, and teenage daughter have been taking care of him and watching him go downhill for so long, it’s got to be something of a relief that it’s finally over and he can rest in peace.

And indeed, the mood across the street was fairly upbeat, with laughter, and kids running around, and people carrying giant plates of food, and the whole crowd of extended family & friends spilling out onto the lawn. They had put together a display of photographs showing Rob as a kid in Okinawa, at Franklin High School in the '60s, marrying his high school sweetheart in the backyard, building a model airplane, holding his baby daughter... It was good to remember that he hadn't always been this sick guy in a wheelchair. People just kept on coming all afternoon -- I hope half as many people show up at my wake.

At one point I saw the ambulance turn onto our street, driving real slow, and for a minute I thought -- Oh no, didn’t they get the news? He doesn’t need dialysis anymore, guys… But then the two techs got out in their blue uniforms, carrying this huge bunch of lilies. Rob's wife came down the front steps and took the flowers, there were hugs and smiles and fond farewells. The guys climbed back into their ambulance and drove away with the siren blaring in tribute.

And then about half an hour later, along came another ambulance: different crew, same scene. Shelly came down the steps once again to accept more flowers, hugs, and good wishes from these people who have been such a regular part of their lives for so long... and now are no longer needed. I'm sad he's gone, but it's good to know that he had become such a part of their lives, too, that they took the time to come by and say goodbye.

-- Mikala