This weekend was our Pacific Masters Championships. It was a close battle between WCM and USF and I don't know who won at this very moment. I don't care.
You see, I left right before the 1000 today (the last event) right after the last relays. I watched some great swims today. Amazing swims. My friend Brendon swam a 2:03 200 fly and really hit his taper (as he's not going to Nationals)- we were teasing about how he does really well the week after a tapered meet. He seemed to finally figure it out this time.
My friend Stephen called me tonight and told me that Brendon also had a great 1000, was warming down, had a heart attack and died. He was 35. I was stunned. I've been crying since then trying to make sense of it all. It doesn't make sense.
I called some other friends and no one else can believe it either. Suddenly, the meet doesn't matter, swimming doesn't matter, what matters is that we lost a really great guy today. He was always so happy, funny, and loved to tell jokes. He was really good natured and fun to be around. I will miss him terribly.
Tom,
I took kind of a weird solace in that too.
He had a great meet. I can't say that there's any particular place I'd like to be when my time comes, but if I had the kind of awesome meet that Brendon had it wouldn't be such a bad place.
Another odd thing: at our meet people or businesses can sponsor lanes. On each block there are ads. Bill Johnston, 86, sponsored a lane and wrote this message: "This lane is dedicated to all the 'Creekers that shared our lanes, and who are saving us a lane now." That made me sorta sad when I read it yesterday morning (I thought of Jean Durston who passed away a few years ago), but then to get that phone call last night, ugh.
He was unconscious when they took him out of the warm up pool and never regained consciousness. Although I heard they did get a heartbeat briefly at the hospital.
I wasn't there, so that's secondhand.
Mark,
You're right. He swam beautifully and worked really hard. So to say it doesn't matter probably belittles all of our efforts this weekend. However, and I know you know me, his passing is a reminder to me that I should't get too caught up in any one thing. Life is way too short.
Brendon was a little more reserved than to yell, "Holy #%*! what a ride!" but he was really interesting to talk to and was very thoughtful and insightful. He wasn't quiet per se, but he wasn't outspoken either. He was just a big, intelligent, mellow, happy guy who worked really hard and had a great smile (that I can still see).
I would give almost anything for Brendon to be here another 20 years, as I'm sure his wife would too.
Oh no, you guys. I didn't think you meant any disrespect at all. I thank you for your kind words and I love these poems. I was just trying to give you an idea of what he was like :)
I'm kind of in a fog right now- please keep talking to me :)
You know Craig, I think that's why this is particularly hard. I'm 34 and while that's not old, I'm not a spring chicken anymore either. Like someone mentioned earlier, I don't want to live my life wishing I had done this or that. It could be cut short at any minute as Brendon reminds us.
I won't go down without a fight either. :)
I think that is why Masters swimming is such an important part of my life.
OK, I'm going to put this out here, and if it sounds too weird I'm going to chalk it up to lack of sleep and grief...
I always wondered what my life would be like if I were surrounded by swimmers all the time? (I always picture Mission Viejo as to me it seemed like the community where swimmers came to live in the early 80's)
Wouldn't it be cool to live with all swimmers in your neighborhood? We'd have shuttles all day going to the state-of-the-art complex for any practice you wanted to attend? You'd see happy, health conscious people all day (when they weren't at work!). We'd all have swimming in common and then bring all of our other talents and qualities to the neighborhood. What a cool place that would be!
My point is, I really appreciate the swimming environment and all of the people that make it a really special place. Thanks you guys. (And if anybody is a contractor, we can get to work designing our swimming neighborhood ;) )
here's the Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
