Still doesn’t seem real…

Something awful has happened.  We lost one of our friends.  That was Tuesday, March 2, 2010.  We lost our friend Brad at the age of 26.  His birthday is tomorrow, March 12th.

He died while doing tree trimming work.

You see, Brad was a firefighter.  On his days off, he and several other firemen worked for a tree trimming company.  On Tuesday, Brad was working, and fell from a tree.

He didn’t survive.

On Thursday, a ton of people turned out for his visitation at the funeral home.  The firemen were lining the hall leading to the family.  They show so much respect for their fallen.  They had their fire truck in front of the funeral home for the service.  There was a huge flag hanging from the raised ladder.  It was absolutely beautiful.  The fire station even had this banner made with Brad in all of his fire gear, In loving memory.

The funeral was Friday.  Gosh, Brad was loved.  He was loved so, so much.  The church was completely packed with all of his family and friends, and his fire family.  The service was just wonderful.  The preacher spoke a little, then the fire chaplain spoke.  After that, they opened it up to friends who wanted to say something about Brad.  His superiors and co-workers got up and talked about Brad and his work ethic.  How he was just great at being a fireman, and how he loved it.  Everyone told great stories.  We laughed and we cried.

The firemen all lined up again as Brad was taken out for his final ride.  All of the city fire trucks led the way.  It was all so touching.

At the graveside, they gave him a fireman’s burial, and a Mason’s burial.

It’s just so hard to watch his family and friends going through all of this heartache.

With all of this happening last week, it’s made me realize how God hasn’t promised us tomorrow.

So, live each day to the fullest.

Make sure everyone knows you love them.

Don’t take friends and family for granted.

Thank God for the blessings He has given you in this temporary life.

Make your life MEAN something…even if it just means you’re a great mom, sister, brother, son, father, daughter, grandmother, grandfather.

Don’t let a day go by where you regret your decisions.

Take advantage of your life, your love.

 

And for Brad:

“The road goes on forever, and the party never ends.”