20k dead in Iran- one was my childhood friend

self

[fourdeuce82d]

Just found out a friend of mine I've known for thirty years, and was the closest thing to a brother I'll ever have, was one of the 20k people killed in the recent earthquake.

He and I grew up in Saudi as oil brats- he was a wonderful, wonderful guy. He and his girlfriend were in Iran on a tourism junket. he always had to go and live on the local economy- i.e. he didn't want to stay at the hilton, he wanted to stay at the sort of places a local truck driver might stay at. That was where he was when the quake hit, and he was buried in the rubble. He and his girlfriend were extricated, but from what I gather he died in the car on the way to a hospital. She's hurt, but will survive.

He was a good man, a good friend, and a good person. I personally am (expletive deleted by moderator) wrecked. I wish it could have been me cause he sure had his (expletive deleted by moderator) together a lot more than I ever did or ever will. His family is in worse shape. This is going to crush his parents. They are going to need all the support they can get.

prayers, thoughts, well wishes appreciated. He was 41 years old.

I just wish I could put a bullet in my head and bring him back in some sort of trade- I'd do it. but I know I can't, so don't worry.

I'm just really, really beat down right now, and I'm dreading the coming days and weeks. I dunno...is God trying to make me feel bad for being a schmuck? Is he saying "I could have taken some of the flostam and jetsam that nobody would really miss, but haha, joke's on you, I'm going to take the guy that's really, really special. You, on the other hand, I'll leave behind to take up space and waste air."

That's some pretty sick humor if you ask me. There is no damn exsuse fror traking him none none. IT is not even remotely fair or just or reasonable and I 'm godamm piswsed off.

[Redcoat LI]

I am sorry for your loss.
You and your friend are in my prayers.

[BlessedBeGod]

I'm so sorry. Please know that you and your friend are in my prayers.

[section9]

My condolences at this, your great loss.

True friends are the hardest to come by. Their loss is doubly painful.

Place your troubles at the feet of the Cross, sir.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Hodar]

I am sorry for the loss of a loved one. I do send *you* my sympathies. It's hard to loose a friend.

However, I would be a hypocrit if I stated that my heart went out to the Iranian people. The memory of them dancing in the streets as 3,000 of my fellow Americans were murdered is still pretty fresh in my mind. I neither celebrate, nor mourn; as I find it hard to think of them as human.

[Fred Mertz]

I'm very sorry you lost a good friend. My sincere condolences.

I'm shocked that this tragic news isn't making the major headlines. It's a major league tragedy.

[Fred Mertz]

I'm very sorry you lost a good friend. My sincere condolences.

I'm shocked that this tragic news isn't making the major headlines. It's a major league tragedy.

[RoseofTexas]

No you are not sick, it's called mourning...sorry for you loss!

[hoosiermama]

.

[Allegra]

Prayers up for you, your friend and his family. I'm so sorry.

[LibertyLight]

My prayers to you and your friend and all loved ones.
God Bless these dear souls.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

I'm so sorry, 4d. Prayers for you and his family.

[hummingbird]

fourdeuce, I am so sorry for your loss. Your pain is so great, I just ache for you. I have an Iranian Christian friend whose family left Iran many years ago during very difficult times and she is so dear to me. I will pray for you and for your friend's family and for his girlfriend. I know you are heartbroken and I pray God's grace will ease your pain. <><

[CindyDawg]

You and your friend's family and his girl friend in my prayers.

[chicagolady]

This reminds me of a saying I heard on the new "Lord of The Rings" movie.

The only thing that is important is what you do with the time that has been given to you.

Your friend obviously did a lot and appreciated the time that was given to him.
I understand you being mad and shocked. BUT the reality is...Who has promised you and me tommorrow? Life is like a mist.

Be all God has Created you to be. That is the challenge for you and me.

[PokeyJoe]

3,000 people died in the attacks on the WTC - caused by evil people.

20,000 people died in the Iranian earthquake, caused by natural geological forces that have been in motion for centuries before your friends birth.

I feel bad about both.
I'm only pissed off at one.

Frankly, I only wish the earthquake had hit further south and taken out the nuclear bomb factory.

Sorry your friend died.

[dandelion]

Obviously, you are NOT a "waste of air and space", for this good man considered you to be his friend. What a gift you must have been for him, and what a blessing to know that someone would remember him to us.

I am so sorry your friend died. I am so glad he had a friend like you...

[Jeff Head]

Sorry for your loss and the heartache and the sorrow of your friends family and other friends.

He's been called home to a better place now, away form the cares and worries of this world...somethiung we can scaresly comprehend and must apply faith to believe in and accept. That doesn't mean it isn't real, or that it doesn't make sense, or that it is unfair...just that we, with our mortal minds are incapable of understanding it without faith.

But we can obtain that faith...and come to some simblance of an understanding and peace with such tragedies. I pray that can occur for you so that your burden at the loss of your friend can be lifted and turned to hope.

I also pray that God will rest the soul of your firend in His care and that hhe will comfort all of his family and friends.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Condolences :(

[McGavin999]

I'm sorry you are going through this pain, but it sounds like your friend really knew how to live. He formed good friendships, he enjoyed life, he knew how to get the most out of his travels, and he got to die doing the things he loved with someone he loved.

As to making a trade, there's an old saying that goes "If you're still here, you're not done yet." Make him proud of you. Live your life the way he taught you. Reach out and grab it for all it's worth and live your life not only for yourself, but for him as well.