Fred Williams and I were the best of friends in high school and college (even though we attended different universities). The friendship continued when we both attended grad school in Austin. Later on, we corresponded regularly, and with the advent of e-mail we exchanged messages every day. After his retirement Fred moved to Colorado, so we haven't seen each other for years, but I'll be seeing him this afternoon at the celebration of the life of his daughter, Jennifer.
On September 27 Fred went to Austin because doctors had discovered that Jennifer had cancer. He's been there ever since. The cancer was of a rare and virulent kind, and there was nothing the doctors could do, though of course they tried. Jennifer died earlier this week. Things like this really shouldn't happen, but they do. If you have a CD with Willie Nelson's "Turn Out the Lights" on it, play the song this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. CST and think about a young woman who should have lived for many, many more years.
6 comments:
There aren't words for such a loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your friend and his family.
Sorry, Bill, for you and certainly for your friend and his family.
Atop all else, having a daughter of similar age yourself just must make this that much more difficult to contemplate.
This is truly sad. My sympathies to Fred and his family, and to you.
I can't think of anything to add, so I'll just echo Cap'n Bob.
Thanks, folks. The service consisted mostly of Jennifer's friends, of whom there were many, saying a few words about the way she'd affected their lives and the lives of others. It was touching to see and hear so many youngsters expressing their grief, and it was a help to them and the families.
Sorry to hear it. My condolences to you, her family and her friends.
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