I received a call a little while ago from a very good friend of mine. She was calling about a family who are good friends to us both. While I lived back in my hometown, until I left about 10 years ago, I was close with their family. There are three girls a little younger than I who became great friends and I spent lots of time with them, their parents, and extended family as well. I went to different family events and cookouts and did a lot with them. They are extremely special people to me and to God.

Today my friend was watching the daughter of one of the three girls from this family. She is the first and only grandchild of these wonderful people, and the father watched her during the day. He wasn't feeling well so my friend was watching her today. His wife returned from work to find him passed away. They are still not completely certain of the cause.

I am in shock. He wasn't that old and I always loved how he was so excited to see the kids when I would bring them to visit. (It wasn't as often as I wish it could have been.) He was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, father in law, and friend. He will be greatly missed.

I'm trying to figure out how I can attend the funeral. It sounds like it's going to be on Monday, possibly around 10? If so, I'm thinking maybe I can drop off Olivia at a friends' and the boys at day care, early and get there by 10. (It's about 2 1/2 hours away.) Then be back by 6 to pick up the boys??? Probably. It's worth it. It's times like these that I wish I had a little car as well as the "bus." Maybe I'll look into that at some point.

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers during this time!