Losing a friend

He was in pain, there at the end.

We knew that the pain meds he took for chronic arthritis were taking a toll on his liver.  That, and surgery made the pain tolerable for years, but not forever.

Over the last few weeks we watched the changes.  Urine turning orange, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, finally jaundice and acites.  Liver failure.  It came on too quick.

I had to make the decision for him, my good friend.  He couldn't say the words, but his eyes told me.  There would be no transplant, no saving him.

Ten years was not long enough.  He died in my arms, on the grass, listening to the water play along the creek bed.  Under the clear blue sky.

I will miss my friend.