I just came back from the hospital with Gabe and a couple of his friends. We went to say goodbye to Dylan.. His transplant surgery is scheduled for early tomorrow morning. It’s so sad.. and so surreal to replay this story…
One by one, we each filed in to say our final goodbye. When I was in there alone.. I knew it was Dylan’s body lying there in that bed.. but he’s really not there.. The machines are keeping his body alive.. but his spirit is already someplace else. Watching Gabe and Diane go in there was so had to watch for the memories it brought back, Dylan stepped in like almost a brother to Gabe after Sam died . Watching Gabe go through another loss like this is almost too much to bear.
But there’s a different sadness entirely when my heart goes to Dylan and his family. Watching Jim go in there was so hard to watch for what comes now. I swear I’m going to be there for Dylan’s family.. like so many of you all were there for us.
Today, Fox 44 did a news story on Dylan.. they came out and interviewed Gabe for the piece.. Gabe’s comments really capture Dylan’s crazy/fun spirit.
Dylan Peters, a senior at Champlain Valley Union High School, died Thursday in a car crash on Oak Hill Road in Williston, Vt.Gabe Cohn smiles and laughs when he looks at pictures and recalls the time he spent with Peters, who was his best friend."We always just goofed around like that and made fun of each other," Cohn said.Peters was an avid snow boarder. He was described by his friends as a daredevil. Cohn and Peters would spend hours practicing skate boarding tricks and jumping on the trampoline in the backyard."I hung out with him because he was the guy who would jump off a cliff and do crazy stuff like that, and I always looked up to him," Cohn said.And Cohn saw Peters as a clear role model. He had a full snow boarding scholarship to Westminster in Utah.But in an instant everything changed. Peters died Thursday when his car went off the road and into several trees. Police say speed played a big role in the accident."There were skid marks, gouges in the roadway and then the vehicle off the roadway in the grove of trees," Officer Bill Charbonneau, of the Williston Police Department, said.For Cohn, this isn't the first time he lost someone close. He says Peters stepped in as an older brother when he lost his own brother in 2006."Once he left I was like why is this happening to me again, it's just horrible. I can't even think, we had so much planned. And he had so much good going for him," Cohn said.He says moving on will be hard but he will always remember Peters."Every single time I do something that we did like jumping on my trampoline, I'll think of him and just know he's there somehow with me, doing it with me," Cohn said. We will never forget you, Dylan. we love you... nite all, nite sam.. please take care of dylan... -me
Good Morning John,
I know that the distance means nothing but we are too far still. I wake up this morning and I found this miserable news . The girls are still sleeping . They don’t be able to believe it , i’m sure . Believe in our friendship . (…)
I went to your wall, down and I found your video close your beautiful Home explaining science, showing colors ( the red of the wall, your shirt, the flowers behing you , the green of the nature ) listening to your voice, and your little moves, making fun and finally explaining L.O.V.E – What a serenety. I thought that’s I would like you to meet Didier … For try to make him understanding and sharing.yes Sharing .
I could take a plane right away !!! I’m missing you guys, and thanks the technology for the videos , and if we can do anything for you . It will be my pleasure .
Say Hi from us to everyone . and a lot of courage for Gabe.
Florence
John………my heart aches for what you, Gabe and Diane are going through right now. What a terrible tragedy. Such a vital young life. The videos of Dylan really convey that. I know you all will be there for the Peters right now. Let me know if there’s anything we can do to support you and yours during this difficult time. Much love to all………Marian and Jack
Adam and I were in the area the time of Dylan’s accident and in speaking with the police who had just barely blocked the road my first prayers were that the boy they were telling us about was going to be alright, the second (very selfishly), that we didn’t know him. When I heard that night that it was Dylan, after initial thoughts & emotions, I thought of you, Diane and your family. I was thankful that you were here on earth to help Sue and Jim & the kids and that your experience and love could help them through the many dark days,weeks, months, and years ahead. Your family has become a beacon of light for many – beyond what you know. Thank you for your honesty, guidance, light, and love.
Thank you for helping everyone imagine that there are future days ahead.