Leo I know so much loss all so close is tough to swallow. I'm only 58, and have been the type of guy that has one or two best friends for decades, but not a whole entourage like other people do. I lost one in a train wreck some years ago and the other just died what I consider an avoidable and very hurtful death last year, without ever calling me to say he was sick or even goodbye. I was heartbroken. Felt like, well now it's just me and my wife and 29 year old son, I'll get by. Besides the Docs said I wasn't gonna last 10 more years... in 1997, Ha! Fooled them.
Then after having outgrown my solo neighborhood CL field, I had to join a club where I didn't hit tree branches on long lines. I'd never flown with others or even known it was really possible in my obscure hobby. Now I have more friends at once than I ever have, who all care about me and each other. I feel like the luckiest guy on Earth. Having more fun than ought to be allowed. I'm so glad I didn't sink into the despair that was only a few steps behind me for some of that time. And I continue to meet lots of people from the forums and that brings the whole rest of the world closer to me. It's an amazing thing to be alive. I only feel bad that my forever lost buddies can't be a part of what I'm doing now.
But, like we used to say in the '60s, Keep on Truckin'. It's worth it. every day.
Rusty