Darren...

This is one of the hardest things that I will put on my blog. David's brother Darren was in a tragic accident today. We do not know all the details at this time. However, Darren was killed while riding his motorcyle today. He was 28 years old.

This just seems crazy to me at this time. I think this is my Sally Field 'Steel Magnolias' moment. You know, the one at the cemetary, after they buried her Shelby and she is with all the star power women in the film and she starts flipping out and she wants to hit something (How do you spell Weeza?) and she realizes that her hair does indeed look like a "brown football helmet"! Darren will never show up at any gathering with his 'To-Go' containers. He would bring his own containers to guarantee that he could always take food home. He was funny that way. Darren was the one who I thought should be on Survivor because he would eat ANYTHING or do anything. I liked that he did what he wanted regardless of what you thought. He was an amazing yo-yo-er. He could do the coolest tricks ever. We went to Disneyland one year and joked that he should throw out his hat and collect $$$ because people would just stop and watch him. He also had decided that on that trip that he was going to try and get in as many peoples pictures as he could. He would just stop and stand there and smile, in the background. He also took one of Mariah and Rachel and grabbed a bunch of 'tourists' and said 'Hey get in this picture with me'. Darren would give you the shirt off of his back if you asked for it. My kids love him...they are hurting too. Josh immediately bowed his head and starting crying. Rachel teared up when she heard the news. I know that they will miss him very, very much. I am glad that David and his brothers had the chance to spend the day together before his wedding and I am sure that they are glad that they now have this memory. I am also grateful that we were all able to be together this last weekend for Dennis' wedding. I know that our last memories of Darren are those of being together: laughing and playing video games and piggy back rides and climbing the boat and yo-yo's and $2.00 bills and gold coins and wearing a cloth napkin tucked into the front of his shirt instead of on his lap and sharing plates of desserts and drawing maps on the sidewalk in Tahoe and kissing the bear statue at Harrah's and of a bowl of gummy bears and ice cream sprinkles that he was eating for dessert with Wyatt.

I am not screaming "WHY? I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY?" like Malynn aka Sally Field (If that is how you spell her name). I am not mad or angry. I am just sad, very very sad.

When David and I were married I instantly acquired 5 brothers (and one more sister, sheesh Shellee this isn't about you! HAPPY NOW???). I have only one sister in my family. Darren was my brother...Darren IS my brother and I am thankful for him.

So if you go through your Disneyland pictures and see some tall, blond guy standing in the background and smiling, send me a copy of the picture...That's Darren.

Here is the video of Darren climbing the outside of the boat during the wedding cruise. This was the 2nd time he did it...I thought it was funny. I love his laugh at the end! It brings a smile to my face...