Doug 
 
One year ago today 
Doug slipped away 
The pain still feels so raw 
Seems just like yesterday 
 
I watched stew's eyes 
But I could not stop the cries 
His thumb just pointed down 
But I knew by the frown 
 
Helpless at the thought 
To see a best friend distraught 
I could not help in any way 
There were no words that I could say 
 
They say time helps the healing 
I hope Stew gets this feeling 
One year ago today Doug just slipped away 
But in Stew's memory Doug's always here to stay 
 
 
 
The sudden bereavement of a family member is one of the hardest things we as human beings ever have to deal with. Doug Bell was my best friends dad. Amazingly at the age of 41 Stewart had never lost anybody in his family or friends. Until that fateful July day back in 2001. Doug literally quietly slipped away in his armchair no noise, no warning - nothing. I went to the hospital to see if Stew was ok. He walked out of the door an just turned is thumb upside down - that signal said so much, no more words were needed. I held stew in my arms and we just cried so much. My best friend had lost his dad I was devastated for Stewart. But as anyone who has been in that position will testify, as a friend you feel utterly powerless. I wanted so much to make things right for Stew - but I could do nothing. There are no words that can ease such pain. There was no action I could take to stop it. When you love someone as much as you do your best friend, when you are so close to him or her and yet so powerless to help it is a very hard situation to deal with.  I hope I never go there again. Doug Bell was a kind friendly gentle & often very funny man. A year has past now but I know Stew still hurts like hell. Stew misses Doug - I still miss Doug. And still there is nothing I can do but be there. That seems so very little when it's your best friend.