Life offers you endless opportunities to learn. Most times it gets presented to you in a non-traditional format. It is up to the individual to be open to the knowledge. See it for what it is worth. Take away the information and apply it to your life as you see fit. My greatest teacher for life lessons was not found in a classroom but in a retirement home. I was in management and he was a resident. More than that though, he became my very dear friend. He was a friend that I would watch and learn from through example. Today I will share just a bit of what my buddy Bill taught me.

Don’t worry about what others think of you. Be who you are and no one else. Live life fully. Sing at the top of your lungs and yes change the lyrics if it makes the song funnier! Yell a greeting across the room if the spirit takes you. Laugh!....loudly and often. You are NEVER too old to learn. Be an active participant in your life and in your community. If you want something then fight for it and make it happen. Don’t dwell on the negative, only focus on the positive. Be happy with what you have. Be grateful for every little act of kindness bestowed upon you. Love deeply. When asked “if you could have lunch with anyone…?” don’t pick a world leader or famous person…pick someone already in your life that you respect and admire so you spend a quiet lunch in mutual admiration with a friend.  Take pride in yourself and your family. Boast unashamedly because if you don’t who will! There is no shame in shedding a tear. Learn to forgive. Say what you need to say and then move on. Upon parting be sure to let the person that called or visit know how important their time spent with you was because each goodbye may be your last.

I lived my life strictly by the rule “you can’t go back”. It was the life lesson that I had learned through my many, many years of moving from town to town, house to house. Going back was always disappointing. Nothing would be as you remembered it. Not the people. Not the buildings. So, once I walked away, I walked away for good. Life would put both Bill and myself in positions where we had to go our separate ways. I thought of him so often and missed the laughter that we shared because oh my God how we could howl with laughter when we were together. I could not let the memory of Bill go and so I dared to break my rule and take a chance that Bill didn’t change. I first sought him out when I heard he was in the hospital getting his second leg removed. Although a bit tired from all of the trauma one endures from such a major surgery, he was still “my Billy”. I promised him on that first visit to the hospital that he would remain a part of my life forever. From there I followed him to the long-term care home.  Every time I surprised him with a visit his initial reaction would be the same. His two hands would rise up from his chair in surprise. His eyes would light up, a smile would spread across his face, he would shake his head in disbelief and he would say I something like “I don’t believe it.” Despite me telling him over and over again how important he was to me he simply could not comprehend why I would take the time to “visit an old guy like (him).” That’s the thing though. Bill was never old to me. To me, Bill was larger than life. He had the wisdom of many great people. He had the mischief of a young sailor. He had a joy for living that would light up any room he was in. He had the ability to forgive that I personally have yet to find in anyone else. The man was comfortable in his own skin and he lived his life the way he wanted to. Beautifully enough, he was also given the opportunity to leave this world the way he wanted to as well. He knew it was time to go and so he did. No long drawn out endings and tearful goodbyes. He knew his life was full and good. His family was solid. His work was done. Peacefully and quietly he let go. Bill and his life lessons will forever be a part of me. I will forever be warmed by the thought of the twinkling of his mischievous eyes, his big booming voice, his loud infectious laughter and the love & acceptance in his heart. My life has been graced by one of the greatest teachers. In your memory my dearest Bill I will endeavor to pay it forward and in doing so, you will leave yet another mark in this world. A mark of a life well lived. Rest in peace dear, sweet friend of mine. I remain eternally grateful.