Friendship and loss

On Tuesday, Sarah got the call that all of us dread: one of her close friends from high school fatally overdosed.

It's been a year and a half since Jimmy died, and I still think about him every day - and I know that's true for everyone who loves him. His birthday is coming up on August 7th, so he's been in my thoughts more often lately.

No one could have stopped Jimmy or Stephanie from making the choices they did...and just about the only thing we can do is to use these experiences to reaffirm our love, loyalty, and dedication to our friends. We need to take care of each other, love each other, and keep each other close -- even (especially) when we're separated by thousands of miles and oceans and continents and busy jobs and insane school schedules.

I love all of you, and I'm very lucky to have you in my life. Keep Sarah, Stephanie, Jimmy, and their families in your thoughts.

Kel