If Wishes Were Horses Then Beggers Would Ride

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 I really wish I could give this story a different ending.

On the 4th of July I went to a big family picnic at my cousin Chuck's (on the left)  farm.  Lots of once-removed, second, and shirt-tail cousins were there.   I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting & even meeting cousins I'd never met before.

Just before I left to drive the hour and a half home my cousin Bud appeared.  (center)  Bud & I had met as kids but I hadn't seen him since high school.

We quickly caught up.  He told me he had stumbled across my blog & had gone all the way through the archives reading it.  He said he wished I'd make more posts.

I  begged him to let me take this picture, he consented only on the condition that I not put it on my blog.  Then we promised to get our families together again soon & said good-bye.

Last week Cousin Loretta (right) phoned to tell me that Bud's wife came home on September second and found him lying in the yard - dead.

Oh Bud, how I wish I could undo this.  How I wish we could roll the clock back and meet for dinner like we promised we would.  You left us too soon. .

I also hope when you look down from Heaven, where I have no doubt you are, you will forgive me for posting your picture and story.

At Bud's visitation I was able to reconnect with these second cousins (siblings with their mom) whom I have not seen for years.

And I also got to visit with Second Cousin Mary Jo whom I met for the first time on July 4th.

I think the moral of this tale is - don't waste time.  Make time to embrace those whom you love.  Cherish time spent with them.

Because I'd rather be a begger walking than a bunch of wishes riding.