Sunday, December 3, 2023
*** serious sadness included today ***
We drove over to Chippewa Falls, WI, today to hear our friend Mike’s band, Northwinds Brass Band. Mike arranged two new songs for the band, and we looked forward to hearing them. They were both very good and we enjoyed the whole concert. Keith helped Mike take a few things out to the car (potd).
Mike’s wife, our friend, Mary, couldn’t be there because she suffered the tragic loss of her brother on Thursday night. He was in an unexplained one-car accident on his way to work and was killed. There is no easy way to deal with something so sudden or senseless. I didn’t know her brother personally, but I was struck painfully with the idea of losing a sibling. Someday, it is going to happen. I will lose the people who can answer the questions about things I can’t quite remember about the past; the people who remember our parents; the people who know me best. Mary says it is surreal and I can’t think of a better term.
Please give our love to Mary… And you are correct on all fronts. We have to appreciate EVERYONE while we have them – and not take them for granted.