December 8, 2008 • 11:08 PM
On Saturday morning my college buddy Jason Siebert was travelling through Long Beach and was hit by a 22 year-old reckless driver evading police, going over 100 mph. He died on the scene.
I am stunned. His death is shocking and senseless.
I met Jason at Biola about 12 years ago. We bonded and became fast friends at The Chimes. We were both very sarcastic and had the same view of life. It seemed like we were always laughing about anything and everything.
At 21 we had our lives in front of us. We had lots of plans, ideas and dreams.
After I graduated Jason and I continued to hang out for a couple years then our lives went in different directions and we only saw each other once a year, then every couple of years, now its been about four years. We just reconnected on Facebook a few months ago. But we still got to laugh and it was good to talk to him.
I was happy to learn that Jason was accomplishing many of his dreams. He had the most beautiful voice and was active in theatre. He worked at Disneyland for years as a performer and had a job at the Orange County Performing Arts Center as a community manager. He was doing what he loved. He was being true to himself and persuing his passion.
I will miss his smile. I will miss his zeal for life.
Jason you were a gift to those that knew you. We will always love you.
Filed under: Friendshipping , car accident, college, death, friend, grief
Today a new friend lost his mom. She was only in her early 60s, good health, no apparent illness or problems. She was driving home had a heart attack in the car and died.
I didn’t know her personally, but I honestly am flabbergasted. It was so sudden and unexpected. I mean she just died today and her family will have her funeral services on Saturday. Where is the time to process in that? I mean I could barely begin to wrap my brain around the fact that she was gone and already the funeral is over. I guess that’s why you just go numb and switch to auto-pilot at times like that. There is no time to think about anything.
We know she didnt have time to think or plan for this. She and her husband just adopted two Brazilian children a few years ago. They are only 7 and 11 (I think). She was just driving home, probably thinking about other errands or what they’d have for dinner. She didn’t realize it would be her last day.
Makes you realize how right Proverbs are – we should never let the sun go down on our anger. We never know when our last breath will be. It made me do a quick inventory of my life, wondering who I need to talk to? I definitely made sure to tell my mom how much I love her.
Filed under: Living in Ohio, Mi Familia, Psychobabbling , death, eternity, grieving, proverbs
December 25, 2007 • 9:26 PM
Lisa and I took a break from snacking and went to the movies. We wanted a romantic comedy but instead we cried for two hours.
Holly [Hillary Swank] and Jerry Kennedy [Gerard Butler] have been married for almost 10 years. They met while she was touring through Ireland and married very young. Their relationship is still passionate, complicated and wonderful.
Then Jerry dies. Holly is devastated, how can she go on with out him? She’s overwhelmed with grief and unable to continue living. She sees and feels him everywhere. Just when she’s about to give up on life completely she starts to receive letters he pre-arranged for her to receive. In them he propels her forward, back into life.
This is a melodramatic, over-the-top tearjerker and I absolutely loved it. It will never win an Oscar but come one hot men with Irish accents, how can you beat that. Especially a look at Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s naked butt – now that’s a scene.
It’s not a critic’s favorite, nor will it win any Oscar’s but its a good story of learning to move on after a devastating loss. Hillary Swank is not your typical romantic leading lady and in some respects that makes it a little more believable. She isn’t as cutesy or stereotypical.
Bottom line I think we all want to be loved like Jerry loves Holly.
Filed under: Pop Culture , death, grieving, Hillary Swank, life
What did you say?