I am 71, an 80 year old friend that I worked with over 40 years was killed in a house fire on the 18th (Aug). Was just notified that my friend and primary physician suffered a stroke last night, he is 65 ,

Sorry for your losses, my friend.

elmer, first let me say…you have my condolences for the loss of your friends…I’m 68 and sadly I know what you are saying to be true and it is hard to see people that are friends and you love pass away … I’ve lost many of my shooting friends and retired railroaders I worked with for almost 40 years not to mention my very best friend, my wife of 46 years…one thing that I’ve learned is to not keep these losses inside but if you need support reach out to others at your Church or family…trust me it helps. Also the members of this forum carried me through some tough times …they were a Godsend. Hang in there and post here when you need to talk about your feelings

Elmer,
Yeah it sucks. Condolences are appreciated but the hurt remains.
There was the Vietnam period where I lost a lot of my childhood friends. And if the conflict didn't get them car accidents did.
Of late the few surviving have now also passed. But worse the extreme elderly of my family. WWII vets, their relatives, etc. Only my 96yo mother remains from that large group born in the 1920s.

The friend who got me into competitive shooting passed a few years back. Heart failure. This guy had been through the wringer, medically speaking but still made every match even after he lost his legs below the knees. Never complained and we were happy to have him. His favorite movie was Desperado. Last year a mint condition Ruger P90 showed up at a local shop for $300. I bought it just because it reminds me of my friend Frank and all the good times that we had. Miss you buddy!

An old saying……’Just because you get older doesn’t mean your friends get older with you.’ Sad but true.

I'm a youngin' compared to some here as I'm 53 years old but I'm older than some too.
Mom passed in 2006, last grandparent in 2007 and a few friends along the way to now.
It hurts and sucks. You have my condolences.

I’ll be 80 this month. So many of my friends and relatives have passed. Those painful losses are the nature of human existence.

elmer, you couldn't be more alone, condolences . Coming up on my 70th I've lost all my closest friends in the last several years, I know the pain all too well

Yeah, shoot, I could sit here for an hour and tick off the names of friends and family that have passed before me, and I am only 74. Like Pipe Smoker said...it's the nature of the beast.

I well remember when I went to my High School 50th. reunion. I was 68 and flew back to Washington state for it. I was walking around talking to people when I noticed on the back wall there was a list of names. It was a memorial for our classmates that had died. I was shocked. There must have been 30-35 names up there (our class was maybe 150 kids, tops). It was quite sobering.

When I wake up each morning and look around and realize that I made it to another day, I look up and thank God for that. I try to make the most of it as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Bassamatic:
When I wake up each morning and look around and realize that I made it to another day, I look up and thank God for that. I try to make the most of it as well.

A guy I know said “any day above ground is a good day.”

I'm 70, soon to be 71. According to my last checkup, in good shape with only minor problems nicely controlled by basic meds.

My brothers are 77, 84 and 86. Baby brother is 65.

The losses will start before long and I dread the day.

OTOH, we've ALL lived significantly longer than our ancestors. Mom was 41, Dad was 66 and all our grandparents were in their early 70's.

I just clicked over to 49 on the oldometer last week so still sorta youngish but the number of people I’ve lost or that have suffered debilitating problems in the last 5 years is a bit disheartening. If I make it to your age I hate to think what it’ll be like. Sorry sir.

I know the feeling. The group I shoot with every week has lost 5 people in the last 4 years.

The last one was 68 and died of cancer. One got run over by a texting teenager.

Life goes on.

At 64 I've lost quite a few. The worst were suicides and murder victims. There comes a point when you wonder if you're driving people to suicide. Likely, though, career choice was a bigger factor. Prison folks kill themselves at a high rate, especially a few years after retirement. Personally, I'm sticking around to enjoy more years retired than I did inside, at least.

My condolences Elmer. I’m 65 and lost two classmates (out of 204) last week.

Elmer, my sincere condolences for your losses.
This is the time when we need friends to support us, and for us to support them. Even with our many blessings, the losses weigh ever more heavily.
Denial is our friend.

It’s tough. I lost the best friend of my life in 2008. Lost my closest and really only family member a year ago. Then another close friend in early 2019. Losing my best friend was the worst and still is to this day. Not a week goes by where I don’t think about him. I just keep grinding it out. It’s all you can do.

My condolences. I lost my lifelong friend about 7 years ago. He was 63.I miss our conversations.

I’ve seen most all of the previous generation go as well as more and more people of my generation.

I’m 73 now and trying to learn to be grateful of each day of relatively good heath.

I really appreciate this forum and the people here. Thank you