On October 12, 2002, our friend Scotty stood up reluctantly to read a verse at my wedding. It was not something he really wanted to do, to speak in front of a large crowd. But he did it, for us. As he started to read, a small, LOUD airplane flew overhead and started to drown out his voice. He paused for a moment as we all looked up at the plane and chuckled. But Scotty didn't let it stop him. He just smiled and read louder. The words he read will remain in my heart forever:
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast;
it is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never ends."
Yesterday morning I received the news that Scotty died suddenly in an accident. The first few hours of the day were spent in disbelief. The rest of the day was spent talking to friends and family, trying to comprehend that this had really happened. The tears came and went uncontrollably. It just didn't seem real.
At the end of the day, a gorgeous sunny Colorado day, I walked slowly to pick up my daughter from school. On the way home, I talked to my beautiful innocent 7 year old about death. About the death of our friend. I told her why we were so sad and what death really means. I told her that her two little friends were going to be very sad for a long time because their Daddy was gone. I assured her that most of the time, Mommies and Daddies live to be old and gray. I assured her that she should not worry about her Daddy or me. I held her hand and made sure she was OK and she understood. Later in the evening, I watched my strong, rock of a husband weep at the loss of his friend. He spent the entire day trying to make a small dent in the incredible list of things that need to be done when someone dies. He spent the entire day fighting back the tears. I am completely heartbroken and utterly at a loss, thinking of my friend and her two sweet little girls that are devastated and in shock over the loss of their husband and father. I am completely heartbroken for their families and for our friends. All I could do all night was send love and thoughts their way.
But there is one thing that I know, something Scotty taught me 10 years ago. When life is tough, when that loud little plane flies over your head and tries to drown out your voice … keep going. Smile. Don't give up. Love louder!
All my love to you Lisa, Ali, Riley, and all of your family and all of our amazing friends. I miss you Scotty and our love for you will last forever. Rest in peace friend.
