It started raining yesterday around 10 AM and continued to rain getting heavier as the day went on, and falling steadily into the night. I don’t know exactly when it stopped but the rain was gone when I woke up this morning.

I love the smells and sounds of rain falling on the pavement. When cars drive down the street I imagine waves rolling onto the beach because I’m far from any beach and like to picture myself there.

I don’t take for granted having a roof over my head to take shelter from the rain. I’m grateful.

These days I’m trying to find gratitude in more of the simplest of mundane things because something has been on my mind lately. It reminds me of that scene in the Barbie movie when everyone is dancing to Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night,” having a great time, and out of nowhere, Barbie randomly blurts out, “Do you guys ever think about dying?” *record scratches* Shocked faces on everyone around her. Silence. Awkward.

Recently, I was cleaning out Instagram and removing followers who don’t exist, and unfollowing some that do. I came upon a former colleague who used to be quite active on IG but hasn’t been in the last few years. His last photo was of him and his wife. It’s not uncommon for people to give up social media but keep their page up.

Out of curiosity, I decided to search for him and when I found his obituary, I cried. I had no idea.

We weren’t close friends or colleagues for long but he quickly became a favorite of mine. We would talk and joke and laugh. Coworkers like him made the day go by fast. Work never feels like work when you’re around people like that. I’ve had a few people in my life who fit the bill and always felt the pain when one of us left the job. The only constant is change, right?

As I read his obit I thought of the Billy Joel line Only the Good Die Young because Mark was young, in his 40s. I thought he was a good egg too and reading through the messages that people wrote, I know I’m right.

A couple of weeks ago I had a real vivid dream. I was walking in an office building that seemed like I had worked there at some point because I kept saying “Oh the place looks good. I like how it’s been updated.” There were couches, artwork, and plants. Lots of plants.

As I walked past a cubicle I saw him and I immediately stopped and walked back to the cubicle. It’s like I had to do a double-take. He was there. Typing away on his computer, sitting in his chair, leaning back in it as he always worked.

When he noticed me standing there he stopped typing and turned towards me. He didn’t say a word but he smiled. All he did was smile at me.

I don’t know what happens to us when we die but my version of heaven doesn’t include sitting in an office cubicle.

But I think that was Mark’s way of saying goodbye to me. So, goodbye Mark. You were one of the good guys.

Rest well, my friend. Rest well.