Just remember...

..as a Mother, you try to keep your children away from hurt and sadness.

Sometimes you can...sometimes you can't..

Today I couldn't.

My daughter learned of the death of one on her and her brother's high school friends. Actually, he was my son's very best friend ..and looked out for Brandi, even taking her to a high school dance..as a friend.

He went on day trips with us and his strong, funny personality boomed with the love of life..he was an artist..a teacher..a Daddy & a friend to many..he was a child of God..

Jeff went with him on a double-blind date..the date that introduced his friend to his future wife..

And, as happens after high school..one gets married and starts a family while the other remained single..

Two boys..both at the start of their lives..

Joe & Jeff..each going in their own direction..

Joe went on to be a great father to 4 beautiful children, Jeff went on to fall in love and marry our beautiful daughter-in-law Rachael..

Joe & Jeff reconnected briefly on Facebook..promising to get together..but by this time, they were on different paths....one the father of 4, settled into his life....one a newlywed..
just starting his new life.

Then today, the news of Joe's passing..unexpected to us, certainly not to his family due liver failure. He was on the top transplant list, but pneumonia set in and his big heart finally needed rest..

And now, both of my children are hurting..and the lessons are once again being heard..

.. remember..

Cherish each day..

Don't waste a minute with the crappy little things..

Tell those you love that you love them..and tell them why..what they mean in your life..

Be always grateful for every day you get to wake up, get in crazy-busy traffic, go to your job, complain about the weather, clean the kitchen, wash your car..

...write your blog..

..connect with friends..

..watch the snow..look for birds..get puppy-kisses.

And tell the kids that it's OK to cry..to be sad and to hurt..and to remember...

Remember the snowball fights and hot dogs cooked at Trial Lake in the snow..

..the Halloween dance..
..the art you shared...
..the 7-11 late night stops for a jug of cold milk and donuts..
..the "all-you-can-eat" a the Mexican restaurant - where he surprised us all by how much the wrestler-football player-bigger-than-life-friend could actually 'all you can eat"-eat..

..and it's OK to miss him...

it's OK.

Love,
Mom

Dedicated to Joe Massey

Walk in Heaven with the 'other' Big Guy.

We'll always remember you, Joe..