I was trying to get to sleep when I noticed the flashing lights.
I thought they were coming from my hallway, so I got out of bed to investigate.
They weren't coming from my hallway, though.
They were from the ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks parked outside my front door.
I opened my front door and saw my neighbours' granddaughter on their front porch.
She told me her Nonno had fainted.
A few moments later, her mother came out of the house, and when I asked if everything was okay, she told me she believed her father had suffered a heart attack, but the paramedics were with him trying to understand what had happened.
I messaged my neighbour's daughter the following morning to ask about her Dad.
That's when I learned my neighbour had died at the hospital.
I saw my neighbour earlier in the week as I was pulling out of my driveway. I had a great relationship with him, and we would often spend a few moments chatting when we saw each other. I liked him a lot, and I think the feeling was mutual.
But last week I was rushing to get somewhere -- I don't even remember where -- so I simply waved to him and drove off.
And that was the last time I saw him.
The next time I see him will be at his funeral visitation.
We all lead busy lives.
But when you can connect with people you like and care about, however briefly...
Don't be too busy for that.
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