I don't blog that often but when I do (like drinking Dos Equis) I've noticed I often start with a cliché. Here is today's… "life is short." Genius, I know. Two Friday's ago the wife, her best friend, and I went to see the band Delta Spirit. The fact we actually got a babysitter and out to enjoy Austin nightlife and live music is a post in itself but I'll save that for later. Anyway, as usual, I digress. White guy head nodding to Delta Spirit I felt a buzz in my pocket as I received a text message. Baby sitter? Problems at home? No. Instead a text from one of my best high school buddies – Parker. Essentially it said, "you're a good friend and I miss you." I showed it to Holly. It's a little weird to get a text like that from a grown man but he's kind of a sentimental guy so I didn't think much of it. I texted him a photo from the concert and told him to come visit Texas. Last week I was in Utah for work. It crossed my mind more than a few times I should call Parker. Work was hectic and I didn't follow through. I got home Thursday and received word Friday that Parker was dead. I don't know the specifics but putting two and two together have figured he was fighting some horrible demons that on early Friday morning got the better of him. I'm so sad for him, his wife and his three young boys.
A month to the day earlier, another friend / bike racer / cancer survivor / scholar / all-around good guy died unexpectedly. Cancer took his leg and his hot tub took his life. I don't get it. That's just plain cruel.
My mom has been fighting a valiant 20 year battle with Parkinson's Disease. I saw her last week while in SLC. She's still fighting a good fight but it's the 10th round and the disease has gotten in a few sucker punches to the kidneys lately. Second cliché coming… the one about how at some point the tide turns (make that three) and instead of our parents taking care of us we'll be taking care of them. Moving to Austin, having a two-year-old, questioning my career choices, sick parents, etc. have lead to some extended periods of introspection lately. I used to laugh at the idea of a "mid-life crisis" but now I think I get it. I haven't run out and bought a fancy sports car, had Botox treatments, or had an affair with a 20-year-old but I do spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about life – the half behind me and the half (hopefully) ahead. When I'm out riding my bike I spend less time worrying about my heart rate and the quality of work out I'm getting but more about collecting my thoughts and just thinking about stuff. This morning, a Wednesday, with Ellie at school and Scarlett at a friend's house, Holly and I hung out in bed for an hour reading and chatting. Not a big deal but definitely out of character. Little things are important.
Tomorrow is Parker's Memorial. I wont be in Utah but I'll be there in spirit. Coincidentally, it's also the debut of our episode of HGTV's "House Hunters" and my fams move to Austin. I'm petrified and likely wont be answering phone calls, checking email, or visiting Facebook, Twitter or my blog on Friday. Embarrassment. Sadness. Laughter. Anxiety. Introspection. Gratitude. My 15 seconds of fame. It's going to be an interesting, bittersweet day I'm sure.
If you're having a tough hour, afternoon, day, week, month, or year. Please reach out and ask your family and friends for help. That's why we're all here.
