Ron and a rather reluctant Milo
Last weekend, I met Taylor’s dad’s best friend for the first time. His name was Ron. He was slightly over 50, with a friendly grin and a knack for cracking jokes.He brought his lovely family along and I got to meet all of them, including their sweet little dog Milo. All the time, Ron and Randy were making fun of Milo and the other dogs.
While Ron’s and Randy’s wives chatted under the shade of the large yellow umbrella, I hung out at the pool with Taylor and Ron’s two daughters.
Ron’s and Taylor's family were good friends. Although I’d only just met Ron's family, I liked them already. Their friendliness was genuine and their conversations were hilarious. You couldn’t be in their company and not enjoy it.
They were supposed to come over for another pool party tomorrow. Taylor’s mom had gone to the store to get food and a new swimsuit top. Her family was really excited about hanging out with Ron’s family again. I was looking forward to seeing them too.
But that won’t be happening, because just a few hours ago, Taylor’s mom received a heart-wrenching phone call.
She came into the kitchen where I was sitting, and gripped my shoulder with trembling fingers. “Get Randy…” was all she said. She was still on the phone when I rushed to get Taylor’s dad. I had to wake him. Neither of us knew what was going on, until I saw the tears in Taylor’s mom’s eyes.
“Ron’s dead,” she sobbed.
“What?!”her husband didn’t believe her. He didn't think she was serious. But the moment she reached forward and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his shoulders, he knew. I heard the stress in his voice. "Is Ron really dead?"
I was too shocked to speak. All I managed was a horrified gasp, “Oh my god.”
We were all in a state of shock. Taylor wasn’t home then, so she found out about this through the phone 10 minutes later. But at that moment, I sat in the living room trying to process what just happened. And I couldn't comprehend the weight of the moment.
Even though I didn’t really know Ron that well, his death still rattled me because it happened so quickly. It hit everyone like a train. Prior to this, he was happy and healthy. He had us all laughing when he “forced” Milo into the pool last weekend. He practically convinced Taylor’s family to travel with his to Florida. They were all supposed to take a road trip there in July. He and his wife came by yesterday evening and sat on the front porch with Taylor’s parents, while they sipped sweet tea and chatted for hours.
None of us expected his sudden death. He was involved in an accident just now and died right away. There wasn’t any time to call an ambulance. It was one of those abrupt, horrific deaths. He didn’t deserve it. He was a good man.
Sometimes, you never know. You meet someone for the first time, never knowing it would be your last.
When people die, everything changes. Their families have to bear the burden of going through life without them. Everywhere they go, they are reminded of the memories they shared. Splitting a pepperoni pizza at the local diner. Taking a two-day roadtrip to another state. Having a shoulder to lean on, and lending a shoulder in return.
And now that shoulder’s gone forever.
Life is hard, but it’s a lot harder when you’ve lost someone precious. Losing a loved one is probably the worst thing anyone could endure. I feel terrible for Ron's family and friends, especially his wife and two daughters. To all the people who loved him and all the people he loved, this is such a tragedy. I can’t imagine what they must be going through right now. I know this is hard for them, but I pray that God would continue to keep them strong, and that He would take care of all their needs and heal the wounds of this tragic night.
I'm sure Ron is in a much better place right now. May he rest in peace.
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