My best friend…
-
His name is Robert Austin. We grew up within 400 feet of each other, literally 2 houses away and we never became friends until we were both living away from home.
Rob was a big freaking guy. 6’8” and 300 + pounds. In high school, though, he wore big thick glasses and had a lot of hair. We used to call him The Bumble because he reminded us of the big friendly and furry beast from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
I really got to know Rob when we were in our early 20’s. I was in a classic rock band and the guitarist wanted to bring up a guest vocalist he knew. He called up the bouncer of the bar, this huge guy (6’8”) guy with a shaved head and dresses in leather… it took 2 hours for us to recognize each other as neighbors. Since then we have been best friends for 26 years. We were roommates for two years and best man at each other’s weddings.
Rob had a major heart attack 2 years ago. Very serious. We thought he had died when I drove to Philadelphia two years ago during Christmas break to see him and say goodbye. Rob didn’t die during those attacks. He was revived twice during the attacks. He later admitted to me that he remembered both times he was revived by the paddles and broke into tears telling me how painful they were. He swore up and down that he would not go through that again. He dropped weight drastically over the last year. He also stopped all alcohol and drug use. I was very happy and proud for his sake.
Rob disappeared 2 weeks ago. Nobody knows why and how. Everybody is asking for palrayers to find him safe. I ask for those inclined to pray for peace instead. Peace for Rob, wherever his pain took him, peace for him, and peace for me, who failed him completely and utterly as a friend.
-
Oh my, I’m so sorry to hear this.
When you shake someone's deep sense of self-worth, leaving a scar in their ego, they will persistently try to diminish you through petty arguments & obsessive captious criticism of your actions, just to soothe the wound.
- Nassim Nicholas Taleb
-
-
Wow! I can't add anything more that what others above have already say. Sending positive thoughts to you and Rob.
-
I'm really sorry, man.
Thoughts and prayers. -
I'm sorry, LD. I hope he finds peace.
-
“I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill
-
@mik said in My best friend…:
I'm concerned for him, but probably more concerned for you feeling responsible. This is not on you, LD. While God may frown on your choice of football teams, you were Rob's true friend. We can't fix everything for everybody, as much a s we might like to.
Most of us here know you, man. We know you're a good guy. Try not to be too hard on yourself.
-
@aqua-letifer said in My best friend…:
@mik said in My best friend…:
I'm concerned for him, but probably more concerned for you feeling responsible. This is not on you, LD. While God may frown on your choice of football teams, you were Rob's true friend. We can't fix everything for everybody, as much a s we might like to.
Most of us here know you, man. We know you're a good guy. Try not to be too hard on yourself.
+100000000000
Prayers for all involved.
-
Apparently he called his AA sponsor last evening and has fallen off the wagon…
Me/rry/Christmas
-
@lufins-dad said in My best friend…:
Apparently he called his AA sponsor last evening and has fallen off the wagon…
That should come as somewhat of a relief. There is hope. The fact that he called for help is a good thing.
Let's hope it continues.
