RIP, Heather

I learned today that an ASMS classmate died yesterday from health complications. At our reunion five years ago, she had recently been hospitalized for taking too much Tylenol over an extended period. I think it did a number on her liver, but I don’t know whether that was connected to her death.

The sad news came by way of Facebook: her husband posted a long status message. The widow of one of my fraternity brothers did the same thing. Another friend from college was posting updates from the delivery room (“still 4 cm, 80% effaced and started having contractions this morning right before being admitted. Now hooked up to IV and pitocin just started 5 min ago.”) I’m not sure what to make of the combination.

Heather was a schoolmate of mine from much farther back than high school: she and I sat next to each other in Mrs. Powell’s first-grade class at Orchard Elementary School. I can remember her seventh or eighth birthday party at one of Mobile’s many skating rinks. She was so young, too young to die. She’s my age, after all! I wouldn’t mind if it turned out to be a sick prank. I guess that’s a mild form of denial.