This past year has been a difficult one. March 17, 2013 saw the passing of my niece, Kim. Kim had a difficult time with diabetes and its many complications. July 9, 2013, Kim's mother, my sister Wini, passed away at her home. She had an unsuccessful back surgery many years ago and lived in pain for a long time. She also had diabetes.
The final straw was the death of my nephew, Bruce on February 23, 2014. Bruce died in the line of duty as a firefighter in Columbia, Mo. He had been with the department for 23 years. I was not able to attend his memorial service in Columbia, but a local TV station did live streaming of procession of "first responder" vehicles from throughout Missouri and beyond. The memorial service was also shown. I watched it all. I have shed more tears in the last 2 weeks than I had done in my life time, thus far. Just when I thought I was though, someone would post a new memory or photo on his memorial page.
Today, there was a second memorial service held. This one in a little town north of Springfield where Bruce grew up and started his life as a fire fighter on the local volunteer fire department. Local fire departments were represented, as well as a group from Columbia. It was a beautiful service. There were many tributes to the man he had grown to be. His wife and three year old daughter were there. My heart breaks for them.
I learned today, that as an organ donor, Bruce saved or enhanced the life of twenty more people.
It is said that things happen in threes.
