Things you never forget

My brother Wyatt called Monday September 27, to tell me that my brother Lonnie had pneumonia.  We knew this was a grave sign since he had lost his ability to cough.  This is one of  the complication from having ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease) along with losing control of every muscle in the body.  I called my sister-in-law Cari and she confirmed what Wyatt had said.  She also told me the nurse had been there earlier that morning and said he would probably pass soon.  We immediately started packing our bags to make the drive into Utah.  I was overly anxious for many reasons.  Not only was my brother nearing the end of his life but I was supposed to start my new job at the hospital in just two days.  Throughout the day we made several calls to friends & family members in Utah.  No one knew a definite time that Lonnie would pass so we decided to get ready and leave the following morning.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010 Wyatt & Tasha woke up at 3:00 am and started the drive from Washington to Utah.  It wasn't long until I got the call I had been dreading.  It was my dad who was on the other line telling me that Lonnie had passed away at 9:12 am.  You never forget where you are or what you are doing when you get a call like this.  It stays imprinted on your mind forever.  Russ and I finished loading the car, took the kids out of school and we left for Utah.  I have a playlist on my ipod that is called "Sad Songs."  I created it over the past year.  Russ hates it...but I listened to it the entire way into Utah.  I have every sad song you can think of on that list and it is painful to listen to.  However, I have found it has been helpful to me on sad days.

Life will never be the same again...the inevitable has happened.  I have lost my older brother from the worst disease on this earth.  No one should die at 47.  I think back two years ago when Lonnie rode his Harley down to Las Vegas with his friends.  They stayed at my house and we had a great time with them here. Lonnie was diagnosed a month later with ALS.  So many changes have happened in just two years.  He went from training for a marathon and working a great job for the LDS Church, to losing all ability to speak and move.  If that wasn't enough, he finally gave up all dignity and then inevitably he lost his life.  My brain tells me he is happy now, but five of us (plus spouses) are left without an older brother. My dad is left without a son and his family is left without a husband, father & grandpa.

For now I want to remember the good times...here are some pictures taken 2 years ago when the guys rode their motorcycles down to Las Vegas.

Bob, Lonnie, Russ & Jordan

Russ, Lonnie, Bob & Wyatt 

Lonnie, the morning the guys left for Vegas Oct 2008 

There is NO place he would rather be than riding his bike down the road.
I hope there are motorcycles in heaven.

Wyatt & Lonnie

Lonnie & Wyatt

Lonnie's bike was a little heavy for him so he rode Bobs while in Las Vegas.
Bob told me after the funeral that he has only taken his bike out twice since this trip.
He doesn't want to ride without Lonnie.

Jordan, Wyatt, Lonnie, Jeremy & Bob at Boulder Dam Oct 2008