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.
Thanks, Slimy. I hadn't seen that.
Our local paper "Contra Costa Times" (which I absolutely hate!!!) had a little blurb about it, but of course (with their track record) got the facts wrong.
Karen, I was trying to clean out my closets today and I ran across a letter my mom wrote me my senior year in college. She ended it with a few quotes one of which was, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." I thought of you and Brandon immediatley. I think that quote applies to many areas of life. Celebrate his life and who he was.
Hi,
I'm OK.
Yesterday was a tough day. My husband attended a funeral for the Pittsburg (CA) police officer that was shot to death last week by a 19 year old who had robbed a bank and a store with his 17 year old brother. He left his wife who was 6 months pregnant with their first child.
Police funerals really take it out of you. Not only were there several thousand officers, but the Marine Corps (he had been a captain- I think). School children lined the streets with signs and support along the route, and two hook and ladder fire trucks hoisted an American flag in his honor. What a day. :(
We're still waiting to hear more about Brendon. There is to be an autopsy. I tried to watch the Giants game last night to take my mind off of him (it didn't work). Tonight is swim practice and I know that when I see Kerry I'm going to lose it- not looking forward to that. I really want to see Brendon's brother Patrick and give him a big hug. They were REALLY close and I'm sure he's devastated. (He lives in So. Cal)
Thanks for your concern. We're hanging in there :) It's still kinda surreal.
Thanks Kira. You're right. I love this quote:
"You accept things as they are, not as you wish they were in this moment... The past is history, the future is a mystery, and this moment is a gift. That is why this moment is called the present."
Karen,
I thought about you & Pat when the radio was describing the funeral yesterday. Police funerals are horribly painful.
I hope things are a little better for you today. I met alot of really great people last yr. during treatments that I knew were not going to make it. It was all so unfair as is Brendon's death & the Pittsburg officer's, but it does remind us that life is a wonderful gift we should enjoy every day.
...And your son is remarkable! You're very blessed. Know that I'm thinking of you & wishing you well.
-Kira
Hi Peter,
I'm too am definitely going throught the grieving process. I don't know which stage I'm in but I've been: shocked (it's surreal), terribly sad, now extrememly tired (where I cannot get up in the morning- I've been really late to work the last three days) and today angry (along the lines of I want him back, and this isn't fair)-
Time will help along with some closure (including several ways to be sure Brendon will be remembered) :)
