This storm has cost the life of a very good young man.

[Pathwalker]

My son found out this evening that one of his very best friends has died after suffering a heart attack after shoveling snow in this terrible, bitter weather. His name was Jeff, a nice young man, never in the best of health, whom we have known since our sons were in cub scouts together. He still lived at home, as caretaker for his mother, who has MS, and his frail,aging grandmother. They found him on the kitchen floor, he'd come in to warm up and eat something before going back outside. Jeff's father had died a few short years ago, and his only sibling, a sister died years ago in a tragic auto accident, so Jeff was the only one who could care for his mother and grandmother. He was a good kid, and a fine young man, gone too soon. My son is devastated, we are in tears, and we are so very sad for his sweet mother.

There is so many more important things in life than arguing about belief systems. Hug your loved ones, tell your friends you care, stay safe, be warm, and be NICE! No one knows how long we will have those we love.

Peace.

[daleanime]

1. ........

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. I am so sorry for this overwhelming loss.

My thoughts are with you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I am very sorry to hear this sad news...

May he rest in peace.

[aikoaiko]

4. Condolences.

RIP, Jeff.

[Stargazer09]

5. Sending many hugs

To you, your son, and his friends family.

[sheshe2]

6. I am so sorry.

Heartbreaking news to his family and friends.

RIP, Jeff.

[Raine1967]

7. Sending love and light to your son and his friends family.

I am so very sorry, Pathwalker.

Please know that prayers are sent for you , your son and this young man's mother.

[A Little Weird]

8. I'm really sorry

[PowerToThePeople]

9. Rest in Peace, Jeff.

[herding cats]

10. I'm so very sorry for your tragic loss

You're so right, we too often don't take the time to exxpress our love to those dear to us while we can.

I wish you peace and the loving comfort of your family in the days to come.

[spanone]

11. ...

[Pathwalker]

12. Thank you all so much for your kindness.

I have hardly ever started an OP, but I needed to share about the loss of this young man. He and my son were such great friends, and this is truly a deep and lasting sorrow for all of us. One thing I'd like to share about Jeff was that he had the most glorious Irish tenor singing voice I've ever heard. The first time he sang at a boy scout recital, there wasn't a dry eye in the auditorium.

[freshwest]

20. My eyes haven't been dry since I started this thead. You are right about it all. Sorry.

[Xipe Totec]

13. For then

I want to die young at the end of the day On the High Sea, with face to the sky, When agony is but a dream far away And the flight of my soul is a bird soaring by.

Let there be no sad tears as I draw my last breath, at one and alone with the sky and the sea, No sobbing, nor prayer, nor laments of death; I only would hear the deep waves cover me.

To die when the bright glow of twilight is fading, And catches the waves in its last net of light; To be like that sun as its luminous shading Expires and is lost in the arms of the night.

To die, and die young: before time has destroyed The delicate fabric illusion has spun; When life can still say:"I am yours," but the void Of a final echo tells us death has won!

- Gossamer Stories,
Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera,
Translated by John A. Crow

[Cha]

14. RIP Jeff

Wonderful tribute, Pathwalker~ I am so sorry~

[countryjake]

15. So sad...

[defacto7]

16. How terribly sad....

Another good one lost... My thoughts go out to the family.

[Skittles]

17. oh dear that poor mother

some people are dealt the worst hands

[TexasTowelie]

18. Such a tragic loss.

[Aerows]

19. Heartbreaking news

Peace to you and your family, and may Jeff be embraced by the Earth so that his goodness will continue on.

[awoke_in_2003]

21. A big part of me misses Cleveland...

but shoveling snow kills a lot of people.

[A Round Tuit]

22. Condolences. nt

*

[Tumbulu]

23. Oh I am so so sorry

and hope the poor mother and grandmother can make it through this terrible loss in the great cold storm!

[tofuandbeer]

24. :( that is heartbreaking.

[nolabear]

25. I'm so sorry. Yes, life is delicate and precious. Peace.

[ashling]

26. I'm so sorry for all of you

[friendly_iconoclast]

27. That's awful. My condolences to your son & Jeff's family

I've lost too many good friends that passed too soon, and it's never easy. Never.

[Doctor_J]

28. I have heard that snow shoveling is one of the most heart-stressful activities there is

take it really easy, DUers.

[HappyMe]

29. I am so sorry for the loss of this young man.

[stonecutter357]

30. .

[dionysus]

31. ugh, that sucks...

[magical thyme]

32. I am so sorry your your loss....

peace and healing to his remaining family and friends.

RIP Jeff

[niyad]

33. so very sorry for you loss. prayers for jeff's family and loved ones. may you all find peace.

and you are so correct about the truly important things in life. thank you for reminding us.

[ladyVet]

34. Such sad news, and such an overwhelming loss to his mother and grandmother.

Like you say, we don't know the number or our days here. Life is precious.

[hedgehog]

35. This is a terrible loss.

[Worried senior]

36. Life sure isn't fair

for so many people.

So sorry for the loss.

[Fla Dem]

37. So sad. Yes count your blessings. nt

[tblue]

38. Hugs to you and your son

[Pathwalker]

39. I showed this thread to my son, he has asked me to thank

all of you for your kindness, and sympathy. Unfortunately, there is, and will be no news regarding funeral arrangements: the weather has put ALL funerals on hold for now; and Jeff's mother is currently under the care of extended family members, as might be expected, she is not handling her son's death very well at all.

Again, thank you all. Stay warm, stay safe, hug your loved ones.

Peace.

[pacalo]

40. That is so heartbreaking...

Having helped caring for my mother in her final years, I have no doubt Jeff was an extraordinary young man. He must have been an angel on Earth.

My heart aches for his mother & grandmother. I'm so sorry for their loss (& yours).

[malaise]

41. How sad

Imagine the pain for his mother and grandmother.

[scarletwoman]

42. Oh no, that's so incredibly tragic!

I'm so sorry for that family. How awful. Condolences to all...

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. Hug your kids

tight. This weather is a killer

[DesertRat]

44. My husband's uncle died in the same manner several years ago

I'm so sorry for this tragic loss. Rest in peace, Jeff.

[LittleBlue]

45. So goddamn unfair

Those are the saddest stories, families that have seemingly zero luck. The world is fucking cruel.

RIP

[Auntie Bush]

46. True! And Bush and Cheney are still alive. There is no justice.

[Coyote_Bandit]

47. He was a sole caregiver to his mom and grandmother?

Nobody knows the price those caregivers pay.

What a remarkable and self-sacrificing young man.

May he and those he loved find rest and peace.

[Liberal_in_LA]

48. i'm sorry that your young friend died

[markpkessinger]

49. I'm so sorry . . .

There's so little one can say in the face of such a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son, and with the young man's family.