Tim (c. 1956 – 2015)

In 2012, I returned to the Midwest for my grandson’s high school graduation.  I flew into Kansas City, which gave me the chance to catch up with two old friends, Bill and Tim.  I posted about it.

Bill, the first friend I mentioned, is still feisty and full of it.  He just celebrated his birthday.  Tim can’t make it to his New Year’s Eve birthday.  I just found out that he died December 1st.  His brother posted on Facebook that, after years of spinal problems, he fell in his home and sustained an inoperable brain hemorrhage.

In my original post, I showed a photo of Tim with his dog Alex.  He was running a recovery house then.  I said that Alex died under mysterious circumstances shortly after my visit.  Tim later told me that Alex was poisoned.  He suspected a disgruntled resident of the recovery house.

Next to the photo, I said “You’re looking at angels, folks.”  With only modest rent from the residents and Tim’s resolve, he gave hope to men that most everyone else had given up on.

I’ve been talking to a shaman friend recently about mortality.  She stresses that death is just part of the our journey, not the end of it.  But the loss of Tim really hurts.

The shaman friend and I met while working at an adolescent group home.  Tim was placed there when he was 16 or so.  It was evident from the start that he had exceptional toughness and street smarts.  After he left the home, he returned as a house parent.  He was terrific at it because he knew every scam the kids could throw at him.

Tim died surrounded by his family.  They have requested that in his memory, donations be made here.