How many times have you sent a message to someone, “when are we getting together?” or “we really should get together”? How many times have you really wanted to make an effort to make plans with someone but you never did. How  many times did you give thought to the fact that maybe you won’t get to tomorrow? You probably didn’t think about the fact that tomorrow may not come. We don’t, until something happens, like today, when something did.

Around 4pm  this afternoon I received an email from a friend of mine. The subject line  read…. “with deep sadness…We have lost a dear friend and member of our TravelBrands and Sears Family”.

As I read on to hear that my dear friend Joel Hollander passed away very suddenly yesterday. How could that be? He was just wishing my mom a Shabbat Shalom on Friday. Friday, as in two days ago. Now he is gone?

We hadn’t actually spoken live on the phone in quite some time. I haven’t worked at Travel Brands in almost 18 months but we spoken in private messages on Facebook  often. When he and Greg moved back to Ontario from Calgary to Cambridge. We never did get a chance to see each other since he was back in Ontario. One of those things, and now it will never happen.

I spent the rest of the afternoon (and now evening) reeling in the sadness of the loss of Joel. It really is a loss. A true loss. If you knew Joel, you know exactly what I mean. A good soul with a good heart.

Joel’s laugh was infectious. His sense of humour, while often very off colour to most, was very funny. You had to know how to take Joel. He was moody and often dished out attitude, but I know that I never doubted he had my back and cared about me. I know that was not just about me, as everyone I spoke to today said the same things.

My mom and I were remembering the time that we had them at our Passover Seder table when they were here in Toronto and their family was back in Calgary. Even the time when he was back in Calgary after I moved into my condo, he was here for work and I had him at the condo for dinner.

Many memories over the years. He touched many many lives. The world is much smaller than we realize. I have been on and off the phone for the last four hours. Speaking to my friends and former co-workers sharing the sad news of the day.  People wanting to reach out and share. Share in the sadness. Share in the fact that our friend is gone.

There won’t be a Shabbat Shalom photo from Joel this coming Friday. Or a photo of the rainbow banana bread, or the dogs he loved so much. Or photos voting on what bow ties we like best.

I am hopeful that our friends that loved him so much will get a chance to share some memories of our own together when Greg is ready. My heart goes out to Greg and their families as they are grieving. You are not alone. We are all there with you.

I will miss you Double J.  Your friend always, Silvergirl.