The good, the bad, the ugly, and the unknown.

@MarieCoyle (54300)
February 3, 2026 10:33pm CST
The good~ Today we went to a birthday dinner at my daughter's house. It was for both my son and I--mine was two weeks ago and they were really sick with viral pneumonia, so then we rescheduled it for Feb. 4th, tomorrow, which is the son's birthday. But we had an appointment changed and rescheduled it for today instead. Confused yet? Yep...it's our life, it's just what we do, there is always a workaround. We had such a great dinner and a nice time visiting with them. The bad. Some of you may remember me speaking of my 91-year-old neighbor, Dale. He has been failing rapidly since his wife died of cancer about 2 years ago. He suffers from macular degeneration, his sight is very poor, he is unsteady on his feet, and he lost a lot of weight. I tried to take him homemade soup every time I make it, but it had been several days since I was over there due to the weather, the sidewalks, etc. I knew he had food to eat because I had seen his pantry recently, so I wasn't worried any more than usual. I was planning on making soup again tomorrow and taking him some. The ugly. About 3:15 PM, we got in the car to leave and backed out of the garage. And we went...nowhere, for some time. The entire street was squad cars, a big firetruck, a crime scene investigation van, and two ambulances. Good grief! This is a quiet, residential street. We are downright boring here! Some officers came and told me if I wanted to leave, I had to leave immediately as the entire street was being locked down. They moved cars and got me out of here. As I left the subdivision, 3 more squad cars flew past me. This all went down at Dale's place. I heard one of them say, what a bloody mess, another officer said do we put up crime scene tape, or? A neighbor texted me later to tell me that all of the emergency vehicles were gone. I was dreading to officially hear about Dale and what happened. When I turned on my street, it was filled back up again--at Dale's. An ambulance was right behind me. They had more investigators, putting samples in bags and bringing them out, etc. They moved some vehicles out of the way and I managed to squeeze past and got to the driveway. Hard to even imagine what has happened. Maybe he fell. I don't think he owned a gun? I have no idea. No one says he's deceased, but he must be. With all of this hullabaloo, no one knows anything. The poor old fellow...all he wanted was to just live out his days and to ''visit'' his wife's grave, every single day. He loved it when I visited and sometimes, he came over to visit with my son. He never missed a church service unless he was really sick. He wasn't perfect, but he was a very kind man. I hope he didn't come to a violent end, my son and I, as well as the neighbors, are all very concerned. It's hard to think of him possibly on the floor in pain, or that he didn't reach out for help, or he couldn't. He had been considering assisted living. I wish he had gone to it sooner. Cherish your friends and family. We just never know how long we will have them.
11 people like this
11 responses
@JudyEv (370754)
• Rockingham, Australia
16h
I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday(s) get-together but the rest of your post is very, very sad. It does sound like Dale is deceased. I guess you'll find out in time.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (54300)
16h
I am sure he is deceased, yes. He was a kind soul and I hate to think of him meeting an untimely end. Yes, I’m sure it will all be known soon, whatever it was that happened. Thank you, Judy.
2 people like this
@sallypup (67872)
• Centralia, Washington
15h
You must be in shock and at the same time wondering what you and your son have been living near. I hope you can get some rest tonight and not stay awake thinking about the poor fellow.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (67872)
• Centralia, Washington
15h
@MarieCoyle So much wisdom in that gentleman. Old school is a good way to be. I'm sorry for your deep loss.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54300)
15h
He was simply a very elderly widower, worked his own very small farm until he was 80 years old. Very, very old school. He didn't have any deep secrets that I was aware of, and I was literally in his home at least once a week for maybe 10 years to take food, visit with his sick wife who was one of the kindest ladies ever, take her books to read, etc. It's hard to think of a very elderly person having a bad ending. Son was shocked, and he rarely lets things shock him. Thank you, Lenore!
1 person likes this
@sallypup (67872)
• Centralia, Washington
14h
@MarieCoyle I truly understand. I have spent most of my adult life with my hubby. That first year that he got the job and lived 5 hours from me was heck. Emotionally beat me up.
@snowy22315 (202384)
• United States
4h
Aww, that is sad. Seems like an over reaction with all those squad cars though. Do you think he could have been murdered for some unknown sick reason?
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54300)
1h
He lived such a quiet life. Hardly ever had any visitors. On need yet reported. Very strange situation and all of the neighbors are simply baffled by this.
1 person likes this
@choijungeun (2710)
• Hangzhou, China
16h
Life is colorful, we should learn this unique artwork created by God, rather than complaining about its shortcomings
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54300)
15h
I'm very sorry, but your statement doesn't make sense to me if it is about what I wrote. I am not complaining if that's what you're saying. I am talking about my day, and the loss of a dear friend.
1 person likes this
• Hangzhou, China
15h
@MarieCoyle Sorry. I just wanted to say that we should thank God for giving us such a colorful life. But I guess I said too much and got a little off topic. I'm glad you had a happy day.
@MarieCoyle (54300)
14h
@choijungeun Most days hold both good things and things that are not so good. We have to sort out and deal with our feelings at times. Thank you.
1 person likes this
• United States
4h
Happy Birthday to you and your son Glad you were able to have a family celebration., So sad about your neighbor and I'm sure you'll find out what happened soon. Poor guy.
@DianneN (248026)
• United States
5h
At least you enjoyed your birthday celebrations, but I was very, very saddened to read the rest of your post. Poor Dale. It doesn’t sound promising.
@LadyDuck (492427)
• Italy
13h
I am glad you had a pleasant birthday party, but I am shocked about what is going on in your area. Do you know what happened. Poor Dale, may be he fell and hit his head on the floor. I hope no one broke into his place and killed him.
@wolfgirl569 (129005)
• Marion, Ohio
7h
Glad you finally had your birthday celebration. I am sorry to hear that about him. Hope you know something soon.
@NJChicaa (126186)
• United States
10h
oh no this is terrible to read
@LindaOHio (212787)
• United States
7h
I'm glad about the family party; but I'm very sad to hear about Dale. It doesn't sound good.
• United States
9h
Maybe you'll read about what happened in the newspaper today or see it on tv news.