Sad News

Two weeks ago my brother-in-law was killed in a motorcycle accident. I've been away from my computer helping my sister-in-law and her family in Indiana. I just got home Saturday and have some time to reflect on how sad we all are. It was surreal making funeral arrangements and helping SIL prepare to move home to Washington. Barry was a good father and husband and leaves behind Jeff's sister, my niece who is 9 and a brand new baby boy who is just 2 months old. Friends and family have been wonderful helping out in any way they can. I am forever grateful to their friends in Indiana who were genuinely nice and caring and ready to do anything that was needed. It is a tribute to Barry that he had such nice friends. Barry had a great sense of humor that lives on in his daughter. My favorite Barry story is when he accidentally put gasoline in the diesel minivan they rented to come and pick us up at the airport in Rome while he was stationed in Vicenza, Italy. We had to ride in the tall van on top of the tow truck to this little garage and try to explain what had happened (we used a combination of my spanish and help from the rental company via telephone). Of course, it was Sunday and nothing happens on Sunday in a Catholic country! We ended up stuck there for an extra night and two days, but what a place to be stuck! We went to the Fontana di Trevi, Roman Forum, Colosseum, and ate lots of yummy gelato.

To add to the sadness we are feeling, a good friend I met in Spain was killed in a motorcycle accident 4 days later in Wenatchee. He was a great guy and was an instant close friend of Jeff's. I will remember our wild days in Spain (and the fact that he kept us supplied with peanut butter and original language american movies from on-base), the bite mark he left in Jeff's shoulder at his cabin birthday bash, when he showed us around San Francisco (one of the few times I went to sleep spinning) and his overall zest for life. He was a kindergarten teacher and loved those kids. We will miss you very much, Josh!

It's been a really difficult few weeks. My heart aches for Barb, her family and for us as we miss friends and family members. If anyone knew Barry, there will be services this weekend in Kennewick. E-mail me for details.