To A Friend I Never Met

Tyler -

I'm really not even sure where to begin.  This morning on my way to work I noticed that traffic was unusually backed up.  Several cars were turning around and taking a number of side roads that could have easily saved me the time spent traveling that next 1/2 mile.  Of course I know the exact distance from where I first stopped until I realized why traffic was backed up because I run this street back and forth nearly every day.

For some reason I was oddly curious about what was going on.  Nine times out of ten I would have turned around and taken a shorter route but not this morning.  Eventually I rounded the slight curve and saw the ambulance, police car, and firetruck.  It was clear this was more than a morning fender bender and as I neared the scene I realized that I was only minutes behind the accident.  I saw your bike in the middle of the road and my heart sank.  I immediately felt a personal connection without even knowing the gravity of what had unfolded just minutes earlier.  I prayed for your safety, peace, and comfort hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

Within the next hour I would learn of your passing on the way to the hospital.  Having a number of cycling friends I began asking around because I wanted to know more about you.  I first heard your name about 10:00 this morning -- at 29 years old, a young man full of energy with so much life to live and a wife and young son at home.

I thought about you a lot today.  My heart breaks for your wife and son, your parents, and those that had the pleasure of calling you friend.  I can't pretend to understand what you went through this morning or what your family is going through now but I will continue to pray that God brings peace to their lives.    You did everything right on your morning commute and as an accomplished cyclist you most certainly knew what you were doing.  The driver of the vehicle that hit you crossed several lanes including the center lane before hitting you and then a telephone pole.  His unspeakably stupid decision to drive while high on drugs could have killed any of us - another driver, cyclist, runner, or walker. 

You have forever changed my daily route and undoubtedly I'll think about you often.  I ran by you tonight at the makeshift memorial and stopped to say hello.  I eat at that Subway several times a week, get my car serviced there, and run by all the time so get used to it.  I know you're probably busy watching over your loved ones but once you settle into your guardian angel role if you could keep a watchful eye on the rest of us running and cycling that would be great.  I'm not someone that takes life for granted, or anything else for that matter but today was a painful reminder that life is short, today is a gift, and tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Godspeed my friend, until we race again.

Jason