"Of all the music that reached farthest into heaven,
it is the beating of a loving heart."

-- Henry Ward Beecher

 

"Light tomorrow with today!"
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning-


(Scarlett & Edmund back in July)


February 22, 2007

Edmund... Frank's closest and dearest friend, passed away quietly and suddenly
in his sleep a couple of nights ago, from an undetected heart defect.  Oh my goodness
he was not even 30 yet, not even 30!  This defies comprehension.  How many loved
ones are Frank and I going to lose?  We are trying desperately to understand why?

Frank and I have been to more funerals than we have any other life celebration.  Why?
While we were dating Frank's younger brother, Greg, died in a car crash at only 21 years of age.
Talk about thinking that our lives were over and we'd stop breathing.  Almost.
Greg was such a beautiful, happy, carefree soul.

Then we loved and lost our most beautiful, angelic baby girl Chloe.
Our hearts physically stopped beating that day
and have never beat quite right since.

My poor husband has said goodbye to his brother, daughter, grandparents, and now
his best friend for crying out loud!  How does any of this make sense?  Please tell me.

Two of my dearest friends Angela and Lee, both lost their moms to cancer (multiple
myeloma and breast cancer) at very young ages.  No one should have to say goodbye
to their mom, daughter, son, brother, or anyone they love so early.
Each in the prime of their life.  Why?

There have been so many more angels we have loved and let go of
along the way (too many to name them all) of dear friends who have touched our hearts.

And then there was Scarlett's best little friend,
our sweetest hero, Brenden, just a few weeks ago.  Our hearts once again stopped.

And now Ed.  Dearest Ed.

We have lost loved ones of long and painful deaths
and we have lost loved ones suddenly.  Neither is better.  Both are worse.

Why?

This is just all too much to understand and cope with.
The grieving never goes.  Always grieving.
Never enough breaths.

Frank and I now consider ourselves professional grievers.
How sad.
Is there a diploma or certificate for that??

Life can be so terribly unfair.

Live the best today you can.  Please.

Please just live the BEST today you possibly can!  It is all you and I have.
Cherish every breath.  Cherish every beat of your heart.

Please, I beg of you all, LIVE for the MOMENT.

Be kind.  Be gentle.  Be genuine.
Be happy.

This moment is all.  This moment is everything.

Ed was a bright light who sparkled more brightly than the brightest of stars.
Ed was always there for Frank and I.  Even through our darkest days he was there to
share his optimism and joy of life.  Why is it that the happiest of souls are the first to go??
Why is it that the best of all of us are taken too soon??

Oh Ed, such a happy, happy, lovely soul.  We miss you.
Simply the most genuinely happy and deeply kind person you ever
could have known.   We love you and miss you beyond comprehension.

Why?


(Tom & Ed at Frank's 35th Birthday Bash)


Dear Ed, it has been mere hours and we miss your smile.