Sad week....

I know I haven't posted in a while and you know how life gets in the way. Now I really don't feel bad for not posting when I'm driving my son to practice or just hanging around in the evening with family....or just worrying when my oldest will be home after work or not staying out too late with friends. Being 18 has been a real tough time for me lately.

Thursday, while taking a quick look at the news before leaving for lunch, I came across a breaking news article....3 Students Killed in Accident at Edinboro. So I opened the article and to my disbelief, it was someone I knew. I gasped and re-read the article-my heart ached.

This was the week my oldest son Mark lost a good friend John as a result of an automobile accident.

Mark was staying at his grandmothers since his uncle was out of town. He had no access to his laptop and wasn't watching the news because he was playing Xbox or sleeping. I had to deliver the heartbreaking news. What was so unfortunate was that John was a passenger. It is still unclear on the events leading to the crash.

They had just graduated high school earlier this year. It's nearing the end of the first semester of college...the start of the next chapter in their lives. I was heartbroken in so many ways. Mark couldn't believe it. He was definitely affected by this. He sent texts to his other friends, nearly all day. So many people were affected by this loss.

John's dad was Mark's Legion baseball coach for over 4 years. John was dedicated to his church and his community. He had so many friends and lit up their lives in so many ways. They set up a Facebook page so they could remember, reflect, and share with the world how John was a wonderful friend to them and how he will be missed.

Tonight at church, there was a special connection between my son and I as we held hands.

So, if you read this post, please pray for peace for John's family and friends. Hug your children, hold their hand in a special way, and always keep on their back to make the right decisions, and don't forget to tell them that you love them.

Rest in peace John.