Somebody that I once knew, passed away recently.  Bob Foster.  He was a friend of my brother's and he was around 54 years old.  He was part of a friendship group that I was fortunate to be a part of in my late teens.   I last saw him about 15 years ago and never really thought about him that much, other than in passing and with fondness, but his death has filled me with sadness.  I have lost several people over the years, the worst bereavements being both my parents but this was one of the first of my peers and certainly the first of that group.  It doesn't compare but it is different.  Our lives are constantly filled with people coming in and out, some stay and some we never see again but while they are still around, there is always the possibility and acceptance that we may one day bump into them.  I will never see Bob again and if I feel this, then his close friends are feeling it tenfold.  This is surely the most difficult part of the grieving process.  The Bob that I knew was a funny and sweet guy but he exists now, only in my memory. I will never see him again and I will never get a chance to say 'hey, haven't seen you in a while'.