Almost 60 years ago in Denver, I had a grade school friend. Nice guy.
We drifted apart and found our own circles in junior and high school. We went our separate ways and I haven't seen or heard of him since I left Colorado over 40 years ago.
I was spinning through last Friday's national news when I heard his somewhat uncommon name, sat upright, then saw his photo and immediately recognized him, smartly decked out in his fireman's uniform. He was a retired paramedic who traveled to New York to volunteer and help out with the Covid efforts there. As it turns out, the virus caught up with him and subsequently took his life.
Though we no longer knew each other, since learning of this I keep thinking about him, his family, friends and what kind of guy he must have been. In an instant he reappeared, on the television, only to be gone again, just like that. Out of the blue.
So stay safe out there, this shit isn't something to trifle with.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Did he have a mustache? I forgot his name, but everyone in the comment section called him a hero and was greatly saddened to hear of his passing. I am sorry you lost your friend. He sounded like a wonderful person. 
I left about 60 years ago.. gawd how the time flies.
So sad about your grade school friend. It's amazing that you caught his name on tv and saw his picture.
StaySafe!
that is heart breaking that he so bravely risked his life to help others and the virus took him.
I think it was one of those moments that happen for a reason that you saw him.
