| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 13 2011 : 12:47:02 PM
My dear friend since 7th grade, Brett, passed away on Saturday from heart failure. He was 38. I haven't seen him in about 3 years--he remarried, I had a baby, etc...different lives, even though we live in the same city, but through middle school, to boarding school, 5 states away, my marriage and divorce, his marriage and divorce, he was my closest friend. When I returned home from England at 19, I ended up with a terribly abusive boyfriend--Brett would come and pick me up, wherever I was when this jerk left me stranded on the side of the road because of some "slight". When Brett's wife left him at age 24 with 2 baby girls because she "never wanted to be a wife or mother.." I watched him work 2 jobs and go to school at night to ensure those girls had a father they could rely on. Three years ago, he remarried, and opened a barber shop--he and his wife have a 3 year old little girl in addition to the now highschool aged daughters from his previous marriage. He coached pee wee football and put all of his time and energy into children, often becoming a father figure to many of the boys who didn't have one.
I am just so saddened by this loss. The sky is just a little less blue here, in Kentucky, today and my memories are poignant reminders of time passed, and a life lived well. Please pray for Brett, his wife and children. I know he is welcomed with open arms, but we will all miss him very much.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| OneHippieChick |
Posted - May 04 2011 : 8:44:29 PM
Just now seeing this...So sorry for the loss of your friend Jonni... (((hugs)))
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Susan ~ Farmgirl Sister #1978
Fiber artist, spins, knits, crochets, sews, weaves, quilts, soap maker, as well as various beauty products and some natural cosmetics
Working on getting my Etsy website and blog up and running - stay tuned!
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 19 2011 : 08:06:18 AM
You are very right, Darlene...my life is far better to have had him as a friend. In fact, it appears that's the case with so many--I spoke with a neighbor, who's son is my age, and played football with Brett in Jr. High. I asked her if she remembered him, and my neighbor's grandaughter piped up and said, "Everyone knows Coach Keen!" So it was, again, a reminder of how many lives he touched and how lucky we all are.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| HealingTouch |
Posted - Apr 18 2011 : 10:22:15 PM
How very saddened I am for your loss.  My prayers and blessings to you as you continue your life without him. Remember how lucky you were to have such a wonderful friend. Many of us go a lifetime without someone as special. You have been blessed by his gift.
Hugs,
Darlene
Be Blessed,
Darlene
Sister 1922
God first, everything else after!
When Satan's knocking at your door, just say "Jesus will you get that for me?"
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 18 2011 : 05:56:00 AM
Your kind words are so comforting today, Marybeth and Mary Jane. It was a sad service, and I'll admit, I couldn't stay very long. Looking at those pictures, some baby, some youth league football--the 7th grade picture he gave me inscribed, "To a really neat girl. I like you!"...it just about broke my heart. But, boy howdy was he sure loved. I've never seen so many people crowd into one space, and that made it a little easier. Going back home and passing by his barber shop with it's shiny new sign was a sad reminder that nothing in our life is permanent, so everyday lived should be lived well. I'm not always going to manage that, but I'm sure going to try.
Thank you girls so very much for your thoughts...his family will surely be comforted by the outpouring of love and good wishes for their brother, father, and friend.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| Simply Ann |
Posted - Apr 16 2011 : 2:48:29 PM
Jonni, Sorry to hear you lost a friend. May his memories comfort you in the years to come.
There is no set path, follow your heart stay the course. |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - Apr 16 2011 : 09:09:28 AM
Jonni, I am so sorry you have lost a dear friend. So young too. So many things left to do. What a wonderful friend he was to you. He must of been such a good person, we need so many more dear people like him in this world. What a blessing to have had him in your life.
Hugs MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Apr 16 2011 : 06:42:23 AM
Dear Jonni, sorry to hear about your friend. Good vibes going to you and his family.
While the Ky skies will be less blue know that there will be a brighter star shining up in the heavens at night--shining down on his loved ones. Peace. Marybeth
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 09:37:46 AM
Thank you very much, Annika. His service is tonight so I'm gearing myself up for that. Luckily, Justin is going with me so I won't have to do it alone.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| Annika |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 09:31:36 AM
I'm sad to hear that your beloved friend has passed away, Jonni. May all of you who's lives he touched, be blessed with good memories of him and comfort and peace in your time of loss.
*Hugs*
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Palouse Prairie Girls Chapter
http://palouseprairiegirls.blogspot.com/
http://prairiegirlsjournal.blogspot.com/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 10:30:59 AM
Thank you kindly, Melody. He was that. One of the most poignant posts I read, entered on his facebook page by a man (who I still remember as a REALLY annoying, very difficult to like boy in 7th grade), that read, "My heart is broken. Brett was my friend when noone else was." That about sums him up in a nutshell--always, always there for anyone who needed him, but might not have known that.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| melody |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 09:39:40 AM
So sorry to hear of your loss Jonni-He sounded like a very dear and gentle man.
Melody |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 07:51:07 AM
Thanks, Diane and Kristina--tomorrow will be a very sad day, but I'm thankful for all your good thoughts and prayers for his family. Such a terrible time, in such a beautiful time of the year.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 06:38:53 AM
Prayers for Brett's family. So sorry.
Farmgirl #800
http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 06:33:12 AM
Jonni,
Prayers to you and Brett's family. He sounds like one of the good ones.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Happy to be a "Raggedy Ann" in a Barbie World!
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 06:25:23 AM
Thank you girls, very much. Spent a lot of the evening last night laughing and thinking about all the silly things Brett and I had done together (LEGIONS!!!) Canned some Violet Jelly and then remembered a little more. Wonderful memories, a wonderful friend. The memoriums are stacking up all over his facebook page, and the funeral home website. His last post on FB was about a great day spent with his "girls" (his daughters) and of course, sports :) I'm glad their last memories will be happy ones, too.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| nubidane |
Posted - Apr 13 2011 : 6:13:29 PM
OH Jonni
Just saw this.
Bless your broken heart, my friend |
| buffypuff |
Posted - Apr 13 2011 : 1:24:22 PM
We never know why these things happen...maybe all the stress he had in his life, maybe it was genetic, but regardless his loss if felt by you and I'm sure many others. We never know how much time we have on this earth, so it is important to make what time we have memorable and worthwhile. That's why "bucket lists" were invented. Sounds like he had found happiness and had been a true friend and given happiness. My best to you as you work through this time of grief, and ...yes...prayers for you and the family.
Buffypuff/ Claudia ~ Farmgirl & Sister #870 ~
"It compliments God to ask great things of Him." ~ St. Theresa of Avila
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| embchicken |
Posted - Apr 13 2011 : 1:03:14 PM
Jonni~ Your friend Brett sounds like he was a wonderful person. He will live on in his children, friends and those many boys whose lives he touched. My prayers are with you and Brett's family.I can only hope and pray that you all find comfort in your memories of him.
~ Elaine
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi
Farmgirl sister #2882
http://embchicken.blogspot.com
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