Friend...

Daniel Paul Jones.  Once Tim's room mate.  They were groomsmen in each other's weddings.  We were friends as couples, families.  And then they moved to Utah and we lost touch.  They moved back to Flagstaff.  He was a Bishop when we toured the Snowflake Temple and he did our tour and showed the girls the Brides room. Tim would see him once in a while, trying to keep in touch. Families came first, jobs, callings.  The last time they talked was a year ago in Flagstaff and for just a few minutes. 

And now we are preparing to pay our last respects.  Goodbye to Dan just 59 years young, condolences to Nina and their 6 children, 13 grandchildren, his parents, brothers and sisters. 

When someone dies after a long life, somehow our hearts and minds make some sense of the sadness and loss.  It is the order of life.  But, not this time.  This one hit Tim hard. 

Goodbye friend.