Be thankful…
Whatever it is you do for the holidays next week…be thankful for all that you have. When I got home last night…we got a phone call from a very good friend of ours to tell us that his wife died in a car accident on her way home from a recent trip to Florida. My wife and I have been friends with this couple for 9 years and we consider them both to be our best friends!! Her son and father-in-law were in the car as well…her son broke both of his arms and the father-in-law was injured as well. In all of the chaos that consumed his afternoon…my friend found the time to call us to tell us the news as he prepared to leave the state to go to attend to his son, father and now dead wife…
Why am I telling you all of this??? I want you to find someone you love over the holidays…look them in the eye…and tell them you love them!!! Be thankful for all that you have…I am very thankful to have known my friend Rachel and I will miss her greatly!!!!
November 16th, 2006 at 10:39 am
Thank you for sharing that with us… it really makes you think to not take people or anything for granted, not even your own life… so many people go about worrying about whats to come tomorrow or next week… but we should all remember to live each day to its fullest…
I am so sorry for your loss… and I know that your friends have awesome friends like you and your wife to be there for them in this time of need.
November 16th, 2006 at 11:19 am
I’m really sorry for your loss Tony. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one. Jasmine’s right, it is important to live each day ot the fullest and some people don’t realize that. We’re simply not promised tomorrow. Your friends are lucky to have you and your wife now. I’ll be praying for her son and father-in-law.
November 16th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Thank you both for your kind words…I just needed to get my feelings out about all of this and thought that the blog would be an ok place to do so…
November 16th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Tony….sorry that your presumably good week came to such a tragic end. It’s crazy how somebody who you’ve known for a while is there all the time and then suddenly one day they’re not. I know all too well how it is to lose a close friend. My Junior year in high school, my good friend Nick was driving too fast around a curve…went through an open field….and hit the only two trees around. I had known him since 8th grade because he was dating my best friend. I think the hardest part of it all was the wake. Before I even got into the room, I lost it. It was incredibly hard to see him laying there in that casket, but he did look really good, and peaceful. I did feel better upon leaving though, because I had brought 3 roses with me. I gave one to his mother, one to his grandmother, and the other one his mom let me put in the casket with him. The next morning I went to the site where it happened. Some friends and I hammered a cross into the ground and laid down some flowers. Sometimes when I think about him now, I still can’t believe he’s gone. And it’s kind of strange because he coincidentally died right before Thanksgiving also……
November 16th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Thanks for the kind thoughts and sharing your own story Rachel…it means a lot to me!!!
November 17th, 2006 at 12:33 am
Anything to make you feel better! :)
November 17th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Thanks Rachel…that means a lot…I called my friend last night to see how he’s doing and will be calling him again over the weekend…he’s in the middle of taking care of his father…checking on his son…and making arrangements for his wife…I can’t imagine what that must be like!!!
November 17th, 2006 at 11:40 am
Tony, I am so sorry for you and your wife’s loss. I know how it is to lose a dear friend. Please know that you and your wife along with your friends and their family are in my thoughts and prayers…
November 17th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
That is very kind of you to say Erica…an event like this really puts things in their proper perspective…
November 19th, 2006 at 3:52 am
Wow, Tony, I am really sorry to hear about your loss. It’s never easy losing a good friend and I can’t begin to imagine what her husband is feeling right now, having to be the strong one amidst his injured son and father-in-law. You never know when the last time you see someone will be….but I know he is lucky to have you and your wife for support. I will keep everyone involved in my thoughts and prayers. I really like how this blog is bringing us together, as more than just a regular English class…
November 19th, 2006 at 9:09 am
Laura…thanks for the kind words and support…I too am very thankful for this blog and how it has become something more than just a place to view next week’s assignments!! I owe that all to you…the students!!!
Enjoy your break and I’ll see ya soon!!!
November 28th, 2006 at 12:12 am
I am incredibly sorry about your recent loss. I know from experience how it feels to lose a loved one. Just remember: time heals everything.
November 28th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for the kind words Katie…it means a lot!! This has been a really sad few weeks!!
November 29th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
WOW! That’s all that I can really say. That’s a hard thing. In highschool 2 of my friends lost their mom to car accidents and we were all very close and it was very hard. I can’t even imagine. It’s always different when you are on the oustide looking in then when you are being directly effected! I’m really sorry!
November 29th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
You’re very kind to reply Ivy…