Jon is a human, not a bird. But he was a friend, and he died today. Bruce used to work with him, and knew him for close to 30 years; I also met him through work meetings, and knew him for close to 15. We'd all been out of touch for awhile. Jon e-mailed Bruce a couple of months ago — about a year after learning he had a brain tumor. Late in the game, as it turns out.

The timing of all this has been...interesting. Jon contacted Bruce just about the same time that Peanut died. Bruce got a contract to work in DC the month before. Jon lives in DC, so Bruce was able to visit him. Since Bruce's plane ticket and hotel were paid for, and I found some cheap plane tickets, I could visit too. (I also got to visit Jen!) And since Peanut was already dead, I didn't get any Pet Guilt for leaving him alone. I went for overnight visits, which is the limit I can leave the Finsters alone without a bird sitter. Except for that terrible dying part, it all worked out pretty well.

I'm sure that the timing of Peanut's illness and death, and Jon's illness and death, have made it all more poignant. You know: IT. ALL.

Bruce and I have worked from home for the past few years, giving Peanut the opportunity to almost completely take over our lives. And when Peanut was dying, I was able to give him Daytime Warm Toasties and become his Hospital Cage — Bruce, too, at the end. Even better, Bruce was home at the very end, and we could both stay up all night so he could spend his last night in our hands, not on a perch. It was terrible that Peanut died, but at least we could be there while he was dying.

Because when somebody is dying, the only thing you really can do is be there.

I know the experience with Peanut influenced what we did for Jon. Which was visit with him, as much as we could. We're going to the memorial service next week. But you know, the best part was visiting with Jon when he was alive. It was terrible that Jon died, but at least we were able to visit with him.

Life is hard damned hard, you know? But even so, the dying part is hardest of all.

R.I.P. Jon G., September 25, 1950 — November 21, 2006