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.
Something's not finished
Something's not right
I attended his memorial
I should feel better tonight
I'm not handling this well
No, not at all
My poor children are hearing me yell.
Everything was perfect
Everyone was there
Lane 3 was empty, I could't help but stare
White and purple balloons lined the lane
But it was the pace clock up there
That gave me the pain.
It was stopped for the day and read 2:03
It was the time of his life for all to see
You had to know Brendon, you had to be there
For that magical 200 was certainly rare
At warm down you could see he was so very proud
And friend's comments and cheers were exceptionally loud
This was his meet, his time, his day
It couldn't have been written any better
many would say
He was a husband, a son, a brother, a friend
He left us too early- it can't be the end
It's not fair, it's not right- it's totally wrong
But this was God's plan all along.
So today at the pool we'd all come together
To share, to laugh, to cry, and remember
Brendon trained hard each and every day
But not only at swimming others would say
It was at home, at the pool, and even at trial
He was the big, happy guy with that great, handsome smile
It's almost finished
It's almost right
I attended his memorial
I'm feeling better tonight
I'm handling this better
My children are asleep
Hopefully all they're hearing is the hoofprints of sheep
Brendon's life touched so many in a positive way
If he were us now, what would he say?
"It's not the critic who counts..."
And he'd be right.
Having had the privilege to know Brendon Wen
I'll sleep better tonight.
With love and respect.
I miss you Brendon.
Karen
Something's not finished
Something's not right
I attended his memorial
I should feel better tonight
I'm not handling this well
No, not at all
My poor children are hearing me yell.
Everything was perfect
Everyone was there
Lane 3 was empty, I could't help but stare
White and purple balloons lined the lane
But it was the pace clock up there
That gave me the pain.
It was stopped for the day and read 2:03
It was the time of his life for all to see
You had to know Brendon, you had to be there
For that magical 200 was certainly rare
At warm down you could see he was so very proud
And friend's comments and cheers were exceptionally loud
This was his meet, his time, his day
It couldn't have been written any better
many would say
He was a husband, a son, a brother, a friend
He left us too early- it can't be the end
It's not fair, it's not right- it's totally wrong
But this was God's plan all along.
So today at the pool we'd all come together
To share, to laugh, to cry, and remember
Brendon trained hard each and every day
But not only at swimming others would say
It was at home, at the pool, and even at trial
He was the big, happy guy with that great, handsome smile
It's almost finished
It's almost right
I attended his memorial
I'm feeling better tonight
I'm handling this better
My children are asleep
Hopefully all they're hearing is the hoofprints of sheep
Brendon's life touched so many in a positive way
If he were us now, what would he say?
"It's not the critic who counts..."
And he'd be right.
Having had the privilege to know Brendon Wen
I'll sleep better tonight.
With love and respect.
I miss you Brendon.
Karen
