Itinerary Changes - An Untimely Death In Our Extended Family

It is with great sadness that we learned Thursday (September 24) that Neal's best friend since 2nd grade -- a guy who felt like another son to Deb and me -- died following facial reconstructive surgery required by Iraq war injuries that had left him blind 3 years ago. More details than I have time to write are in this news story . What can't be overstated is his incredibly inspiring resolve in dealing with his blindness -- dealing with his new challenges with an amazing upbeat/positive attitude as exemplified by his climbing Mt. Rainier. After returning from Iraq, he quickly adjusted to blindness, went on to marry his girlfriend and settle into a meaningfully productive life in Phoenix, AZ. They just announced her pregnancy a few weeks ago. The surgery was another in a series he has needed to deal with the complications of the injury in his facial and sinus areas. We only have incomplete information about what went wrong.

So, this blog will be interrupted for a week as Debbie, Neal, Anna and I have made plans to travel to Phoenix for the services. Further consideration of this motorcycle trip will be delayed for the week -- and I'll be assessing both the weather and personal needs/desires as to whether to continue the trip after the week delay and consider one of the many other options (leaving bike here, shipping it home, continuing as previously planned, etc.). For right now -- whether or not to continue the trip seems like the most unimportant thing -- as it should. I'll update the blog when I know more -- probably not until Saturday, October 3.