For My Friend

Sorry, but this may be my last blog post for a few days.

I follow the news pretty closely - read the details about the violence in Afghanistan and Iraq – see the photos of lives torn apart. I am steadfast against this war, but I must admit that I have no personal contact with anyone in Iraq. I don’t know anyone who has lost their life or been injured in the fighting. So while I empathize with those who have been affected – I can only try to imagine their pain.

Until last Saturday night, when a good friend of mine, a man whom I have known and worked with for more than fifteen years was randomly and brutally gunned down in a parking lot as he left a restaurant after having dinner with his wife.

The gunman was apparently despondent over a marriage breakup and getting fired from a job. There are reports that he may have been a meth user. He took a 12 gauge shotgun and went on a shooting spree - determined to take out as many innocent bystanders as he could. My friend Jon, as they say, was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

So now what?

Two sheriff’s officers shot the man responsible. He now lies in intensive care at an area hospital. Like with the War, I am also steadfast against the death penalty. But this may test my resolve. Today I found myself hoping that this “waste of life” would just die of his wounds. Not out of revenge, but just to save my friend's family the pain of a trial and maybe a future execution. I don't think anyone could take solace in anything this monster might have to say.

Sorry to bum you guys out. But this is obviously what has been on my mind for the last two days. Jon was a good friend and a dedicated husband and father. Everyone liked him and we are better people for having known him - even if he was a Denver Broncos fan.

Rest in peace J.J.