Loss

A high school friend was killed Wednesday afternoon.  He was driving with his one year old son and was hit head on.  He died at the scene.  His son was fine. 

He was such a sweet, kind and funny guy.  He had his own small business producing custom drums and percussion, a perfect profession for him.  He was a father, brother, son, husband, and friend. 

I hadn't spoken with him since I graduated, but kept up with him through Josh (his best friend).  He lived across the street from B and his family in two different neighborhoods--funny how that works. 

I'm at a loss.  "Why??" comes to mind.  As does, "What should I do?  What can I do?"  Mom and Dad will be attending the funeral service tomorrow.  It's a long haul from here so they'll be leaving after work today. 


I tell you what, it's made me sit back and think.  We're in the prime of our lives, nothing bad is supposed to happen to us!  And yet, the unthinkable has happened.  It's brought me back around to all those lessons I learned from when we lost Hannah, all those things I swore I wouldn't forget, and yet, somehow over the course of the past four years have. 

Take nothing for granted.  You are only guaranteed today.  Send your loved ones out the door with a hug, a kiss, a kind word, and a smile for you have no guarantee they'll be coming home to you and you want to remember your last moments with them as wonderful. 

I'm afraid I was taking Brien for granted and this woke me up.  Sometimes we need that wake-up call.  I just wish it hadn't come in the form of Dennis's death.