Rest In Peace, My Friend

I was having a regular Tuesday, yesterday, when I received a call from my sister. I didn't think anything of it, as I picked up my phone and hit talk, it was around 12/12:30, so I assumed “She's probably calling me because she's at lunch.” I answered and immediately could hear the sadness and tears in her voice. I asked her what was going on, and through a tear-filled reply she informed me that our dear friend, Willie Agent, had been in a motorcycle accident and it wasn't looking good. I tried to get more details, but she didn't have any; a friend of a friend contacted her boyfriend who contacted her, he knew very little, and she relayed the message. After a few moments, she told me Jim was calling through on the other line, I knew he probably had more information, so I told her to call me back as soon as she knew something more.

While I waited, I immediately called my best friend, Brynn. She was very close to Willie, and I knew she needed someone like me to be the bringer of the bad news, rather than a stranger or a site like Facebook. I asked her if she was in her office or driving, knowing neither was the place for her to hear such a story. She was at home (her son is sick). I tried to put it to her gently, but how do you put such news in a way that will hurt any less? I could immediately hear her gasp for air, could see the tears streaming down her face. She demanded more information, information I didn't have, but I assured her, she would be my first call when I knew more.

Sadness truly had not hit me yet, it was so unreal. Immediately, I was disappointed in myself for letting the busy-ness of life get the best of me: Willie and I had been such good friends for so long, yet it had been over 5 months since we last saw each other. I thought, “You always assume your friends will be there, but you should know better!!”

Tiffany called me back within minutes, this time the news got worse. They pronounced him brain dead. WHAT!?!?

I found out where he was, went back into my office and informed my boss that I had to leave. I rushed to Brynn's house, knowing she couldn't drive, and together, we headed to Medical Center of Plano.

The drive seemed to last forever!! But yet, we were there before we knew it.

We walked in, found out how to get to his room, but he wasn't there. They took him for one last round of testing, for any sign, any hope, any last prayer that there still was brain activity. We waited, we cried, we thought back.

While standing in the hall, waiting for Willie to return, watching all the friends and family streaming in...he was loved by so many...I heard a laugh. It was Willie!! Well, so it sounded, actually it was his Mom...it had been years since I've seen his Mom, I think I have only met her once, at his graduation, but I knew, without a doubt, it was her...he had the same laugh. I smiled. I thought about my friend and the good times we have had and prayed for a miracle.

Our miracle never came. He returned from testing, they confirmed the worst: no activity.

I, along with so many friends and family, said our last good-byes. I rubbed my belly, as I took his hand, realizing that my daughter would never be so lucky to meet him. And after many, many tear-filled “we love you's” they disconnected life support. We waited, hoping still for a miracle, but again, our miracle never came and heaven received one amazing angel.

We love you and miss you already. Rest in peace, my friend!!