Today marks the second anniversary of the passing of one of my very best friends, Jimmy Lombardi. I remember being in my office and getting a phone call from his mother the day he died. I did not believe her. I could not believe her. I mean, this was Jimmy, the guy I just spoke with the night before. The guy I spent countless hours and days and years with. The guy who loved his son more than anything in the world. The guy who I considered my best friend. The week after his death is a blur. The viewing, the service, having to call Marie, his recently ex-girlfriend, all seems so surreal now.
Jimmy was the guy who would drop what he was doing to help his friends. The guy who always had his heart open. The guy who had his troubles, but don’t we all? From the day I met him at the Gaslight in Hoboken to our last time hanging out together, Jimmy was the perfect friend. For those of you who know the turbulent life Jimmy lead, you know he was a firecracker. But, none of that mattered, because he was my best friend, and I was there for him no matter what, as he was there for me. If he was here today, he would probably have kicked my butt for moving to LA.
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Jimmy,
Near the end of your life I think you needed me more than I gave. I want to say I am sorry. I am sorry I did not spend those extra nights hanging out with you. Sorry I yelled at you when you came into the barber shop when I was getting my hair cut. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you more that you were and still are a great friend who I loved and trusted, and now I miss you very much. Your friendship will always have a deep place in my soul. I will take you with me until my end. Until then, on every February 17th I will celebrate your birth and every football season I’ll hope the Cowboys win. Don’t worry, I will keep in touch with your mother and make sure she is doing ok, and I will cherish the friendship we had. Be well, yah Lil’ Bitch!
Alex
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I know how much he meant to you, Alex, and how much you meant to him. You really did make a positive difference in his life. I know you may always feel that you could have done more, but I think he thinks you did a whole lot–that second picture says it all. You gave him friendship, the most valuable thing in the world. Love ya, your brother.
Alex,
Thank you so much for what you wrote. You were truly a friend of Jimmy and your words say it all. I miss him very much and am sorry for a lot of things I said to him in the last couple months of his life. I do remember the Jimmy that was silly and kinda of corny. I will miss him always and love him dearly.
His sister,
Dinell