Got a call yesterday morning to the house at 9:02, while I was cleaning sawdust from under the mill with the leaf blower. Earmuffs for sound on, so not much could be heard. A past student showed at just about that time for sawdust. I turned off the blower and heard a blood curdling scream from Alice up at the house, about 300 yards away. (sounds really carry from mill site to house) she said to call her with me cell. I had gotten a call from another past student (girl) about her father that lived up the hill about a mile. He needed help to get to the doctor in a hurry, as she did not have access to a vehicle at that time. I raced to the house and the Ford Explorer. I raced to his home, thinking I might have to cave in the door, from what the doughter had said on the phone. As I raced into the drive I saw his pickup door open, but no friend. I jumped from my vehicle and saw his left foot hanging from the drivers door. It has been a rough 36 hours, around here. I was not able to help him. He had passed. I called the doughter and let her know. I waited for a deputy and the ambulance service as they had been called by myself, wife and the doughter. While waiting, my friends cell phone wrang. I found it on the seat under where he was laying and answered it too late. I was able to determine what button to push and called the caller back.
The caller was his son (also another past sudent) who is living in Texas. I had the challenge of telling him as well, about his father.
I went to his doughters home, this afternoon. I held that doughter in my arms for almost an hour and a half. That was the toughest I have had for a long time. Her mother had passed, just about 18 months ago and I had been close to the family at that time as well.
When you think about calling a friend or relative and do not take the time, as you will call later. The later may never be. Take the time, make the call or visit.