A Time of Reflection

Another whole month has gone by and again I haven't posted much.  Shortly after posting the last time I found out that a 16 year old boy from Ethan's community had passed away.  I didn't know him particularly well but often saw him where Ethan goes to therapy, where he goes to respite and on one occasion at the hospital.  It was in hospital that I met his mom for the first and only time.  He was not doing well at the time (hence the hospital stay) but that was a few years ago and he headed home before Ethan did.  It was my understanding that he was doing better.  It was through another mom that I'd learned his health had been on more of a decline recently and that he had passed away.  I was am so moved by this loss.  He always had a beautiful smile when I saw him and he enjoyed seeing Lorelei whenever she was with me.  I still think of him often and hope that his family is well.  The day I found out about it, I could only think of how devastating it must be for his family and was so lost in thought that while trying to gas up I completely forgot my P.I.N.  I was standing staring at the machine saying, "Oh my, oh no, oh no!"  The man at the other pump asked me if everything was okay.  I raised my head with a bewildered look and said, "I've forgotten my P.I.N.!" He had thought I was trying to use diesel to gas up and was like, "oh can't help with that!".  I felt so foolish.  I continued to stand there until the card was spit out and had to comb through my memory to do an exercise that allowed me to remember my P.I.N.  That's never happened to me before!  The man no doubt thought I was crazy (and likely didn't help lend credence to women gassing up their vehicles)! 

In September, a friend lost their father in a tragic accident.  He was a really great guy.  One of those people who would take the shirt off his back to give it to you.  He worked hard all his life, having to rebuild things along the way at least twice and amassed many friends.  I had the pleasure of staying with them for a while as I got settled after one of my moves and would always stop in when I was in the area to see how they were doing. 

Then recently, a relative of Clayton's was lost in another tragic accident.  The circumstances of this situation seem very odd and I think that the loss of his life could have easily been prevented.  Although an investigation is underway it will never bring him back nor really heal the pain his family and friends feel.

May each of you rest in peace - (in alphabetical order) Michael, Tony and Ty!  You have left positive memories for us and you remain in our thoughts!