Life....for some it passes all too quickly

2016 was supposed to be a great year and thus far, it's been one heck of a roller coaster. A few weeks ago we hosted an amazing family for a long weekend. Freddy, Janelle, Logan, Landon and Hayden made the trek to MN to visit. I am beyond appreciative for the time we spent together and let's be honest, cuddling their 6 week old daughter was all it took to make my year. We enjoyed a weekend of laughter, visiting the zoo, playing outside and just hanging out. That's really how it worked. When we got together we really could relax, and just be ourselves. We joked that sometimes it was easier to visit each other than many others. You see, we both have young children and they are now of age to play together. It's perfect. Two days after our visit, Freddy departed for an international recruitment trip. None of us knew what was coming. No one, including Freddy, could have predicted his fatal car accident in Honduras. That phone call Tuesday night stopped me on a dime. I heard Janelle's voicemail and I knew something bad happened. When she answered, all I remember was Accident....Freddy...he didn't make it...he died. This isn't how the story is supposed to go. This isn't fair. There is a 5, 2.5 year old and now 7 week old at home waiting for their dad to walk back in that door with his standard greeting, "hey, hey, hey, Hola!" Then, swing them around like monkeys and be the crazy, silly dad that he was. So, here I sit trying to understand how best to offer support when I have no answers. Text messages, etc. offering support seem so limiting. I'm heading to Janelle's on Wednesday-Sunday and then back the following weekend to help as much as possible. If nothing else, be a shoulder to cry on for her. This is big, this sucks. Let's face the truth, this changes everything. But, I know Janelle and I know she is stronger than she thinks possible. All women are. I don't expect her to do this on her own. I expect the global network of Freddy's to step up and be there for her as well and they will. They have already put $20,000+ into a Gofundme page to assist with expenses. That's amazing. That is truth. That speaks volumes to the person Freddy was and his lasting impact. Freddy and I had a deal, really a competition regarding who could finish their doctorate first. He was well on his way. He was finished with coursework and all that separated him from that lovely PhD was a dissertation. I was going to owe Freddy a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue. We actually joked about it during his visit. Well Freddy, I'm on my way and I promise you I will finish. I'm calling you out in that damn dissertation because this one will be for you buddy. You were one hell of guy Freddy. You were a kick ass husband to Janelle, Daddy to 3 precious kiddos and friend to all. You never knew a stranger. I hope you are resting in peace and enjoying a bit of glory right now and maybe, just maybe....a glass of Johnny Walker Blue.