Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

Past few days

Posted By: Dug
Date: Monday, 16 May 2005, at 8:58 a.m.

I left on Wednesday to drive to Oswego, NY for the funeral of Mike O'brien. You may recall that Mike was the boyfriend of 8 years of Liz's best friend and future maid of honor who was killed while making an attempt to climb Mt. Everest with his brother Chris. They were hoping to become the first American brothers to summit the mountain, and even more importantly they were climbing to raise money for the Hereditary Disease Foundation. This was an important cause for them, as they have lost their mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and uncle to Huntingtons Disease.

It was the most incredible funeral I have ever been to. There must have been 800 people in that church, and I have to say, it was amazingly inspiring.

Most of all, the past few days have clearly reminded me of what is important in life. Friends, family and good people. I want to be clear that there are people on this board who fit that description for me. So thank you, and know that friends, be they once a year at a rendezvous or all year long on an internet forum, are worth thier weight in gold.

Additionally, some are aware that I referee for the sport of rowing. It has been a very eventful season so far, both because of unexpected events, and weather. In fact, I have personally pulled 10 people (and counting!) out of the water at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester so far this spring.

Saturday at the Dad Vail regatta in Philadelphia the bow seat in the Boston College lightweight 8 collapsed after crossing the finish line, and died later at the hospital. I know the referee who was following the race well, and many of the responders. In addition, without specifically knowing it, I have refereed for this team much of this season.

Again, reminded of how fleeting the good life can be.

Back to work today...it is Monday.

Dug