Life...what can I say. Sometimes it is as glorious as the weather; other times it sucks. This last weekend put both of those extremes in my life. We have been having some spectacular fall weather – cool nights, nippy mornings, and perfect days. I can’t ask for anything better – only maybe give me a few more days of it so I can enjoy being in the Windy City and taking the little boys out for long walks to Chicago’s parks and around the neighborhood. We will spend the rest of the week in Chicago being a grammy and loving every minute of it.
Back to the weekend. We lost a very special young man last week – a former swimmer, classmate of our children, son of good friends, teacher and mentor to his students, and only 40 years old. He left us far too early, but the impact he had on his students in his short life was tremendous. Would that I could have had that kind of impact on young people. We attended both the visitation and the funeral. At both his parents and brother were given an inkling of the positive role model he was for the youth of Grand Island. He will not be forgotten and his absence will leave a huge hole for family, friends, students, and co-workers. By being in attendance Friday evening and Saturday morning, we were able to see friends – parents and swimmers of the HYAC community from the 80s. What a joy to see friends and what a blessing their presence was to a grieving family and community.
Saturday evening we had the pleasure of seeing two former HYAC swimmers joined in marriage. Another gathering of the HYAC community from a different era – the 90s and later. That’s what happens when you stick around too long. You know too many people. We had a wonderful time visiting with friends and swimmers and catching up. And we got a chance to see the joy of a young couple beginning their life together. It was a beautiful wedding on a gorgeous fall day, the beauty of the wedding matching the day.
Life goes on. Children are born. Some of us die. We all die eventually. And tomorrow is another day. We will rejoice in seeing the grandchildren!
