I am going to a funeral today. One of my best friends' father passed away. You know how a few of the parents you get to know when you're young become closer than others... this is one of those guys. I thank God that I saw him a week ago at a graduation party. I visited with him briefly, and 4 days later he died. A couple of weeks ago another friend of mine lost his 9-year-old daughter in a car accident. Life is precious. Whether you're 9 or 75, life is still short.

In the days before my father passed away, he told me that he never took any risks. He worked hard, and provided for his family. Yet, when I saw my father lying on his death bed, I think he may have regretted not stepping outside of the lines. Or, maybe he was saying, "I never took any risks, I lived a normal life, and I'm really satisfied." I hope some day I know what he meant.

I want to be there for my buddy today. I want to say the right things, or nothing at all. Jim has been ill for a while, so the family has had some time to prepare. However, you're never prepared enough. How can you be? You don't know what it's like to lose a parent until it happens, and then you are thrown into the scene. I know I was full of confusion. I had many questions with no answers. My father passed away 23 years ago, and I'm still confused.