I woke today thinking of our freind Dylan. He would have been 19 years old today… a week after his
18th birthday he was killed in a single car accident on his way home.. His healthy organs helped save 4 peoples lives. Here.. like in many things.. he was much like Sam.. a great athlete.. smart.. lots of freinds.. When Sam died, Dylan really stepped in to help Gabe.. He was like a big brother to Gabe.. The two of them rode together at Bolton, at Stowe… and eventually at the USASA National Finals at Copper Mountain, CO where Dylan won 1st place. I went with Dylan, his mom Sue, our freind Matt and Gabe on that trip.. it doesn’t seem long ago at all.. As close as we are.. I don’t know what it would liek to be Gabe now.

Dylan was a fun and quirky kid.. whip-smart, irreverent, talented in many things. Today his family is going through that first hard birthday without Dylan. We know how hard these anniversaries can be.. birthdays, deathdays, holidays. For me, the worst part is the lead up to those days.. how will it feel, what will we do.. how do we get through the day ? (which we always do)

We had dinner last night with Dylan’s family.. it was fun being out. We went to Sikura’s where I once watched Dylan eat a whole chunk of wasabi on a dare from Gabe. Jim, Sue and Dani were doing OK. They were doing what they had to do.. My heart goes out to them and all of Dylan’s freinds.. and .. of course to Dylan today.. They will find as we have that while the hurt doesn’t go away.. it changes.. and becomes more integrated with your lives. Jim and Sue are great people and great freinds.. I’d ask veryone to send them love and supprt today and in this coming week. I’d also ask all of Dylans freinds to honor him today/tonight by doing somethign for him…. or soemthing that reminds you of him.. go play in the snow, offer up a toast, light a candle. Keep that kids great and wacky spirit moving through our lives.

We love you dylan.. happy birthday man…

nite all, nite sam
-me