December '09 Sports—Susie Isaac Column

On My Mind and in My Heart
This is not meant to be depressing. Death is as much a part of life as birth. We seem to fear it because it is such a great unknown.

Not long ago, a childhood friend of mine got up in the wee morning hours to go to the bathroom. Her husband heard a thump. She was in a heap on the bathroom floor. The paramedics pronounced her DOA. No warning, no illness, just gone from this earth. She was a few years younger than me. I can still hear her whistling Dixie on her rocking horse. She could whistle before she could talk! I will miss her. I wish I had gone out of my way to see her more often.

As most of you poker players know, Bob Thompson was a rare breed. Being the premier poker tournament director of the ’70s, he served as tournament director of the World Series of Poker from 1999–2002. Bob Thompson directed poker tournaments long before there was a gaggle of competitions offered all over the world. He was a constant in the poker world, working or playing. Bob recently went to that great poker game in the sky. His beloved wife, Diane had gone only about 6 months ago. Her passing was imminent and expected. Although Bob was 80, he was a young 80. I believe he was just tired and ready to cash in and to go and be with Diane.

Ten days ago, someone near and dear to me lost someone near and dear to them—another unexpected shocker. You absolutely never know from one moment to the next who will be here and who won’t. My friend had to go and tell his friend’s wife of his unexpected passing. He also was also in charge of arrangements, business matters, and such. He said this to me, “If there is one thing I have learned in the last 10 days it is, we never tell those we love that we love them enough—I love you!” If you love someone and you haven’t told them lately, take a few minutes out of your busy life, make a call, or a visit, and tell them! It will make them feel good and it will make you feel good.

This is a great idea for your New Year’s resolution. You know you’re not going to lose the weight, play poker better, or stop smoking. You make that resolution every year. So this year decide to tell your loved ones that you love them on a regular basis. And don’t do it like you’re brushing your teeth. Say it with meaning.

BTW: HAPPY NEW YEAR!