loss & laughs

The two don’t really go together, I know. But when there is a lot of the first (and there has been this week), a lot of the second seems to really help.

Found out yesterday that a friend of mine from high school died, leaving a girlfriend and a little girl, plus the rest of his family and friends. His name was John and he was 38 years old. A total shame.

We were close back in the day (we even dated for a few months before I left for college). We only reconnected within the last few months on facebook but had been ‘talking’ on there just last week. And now he’s gone.

The only comfort I’m finding in this very f’ed up situation is that I know he and our friend Justin have found eachother again. Justin was our very good friend and committed suicide back in 1987 and John really helped hold everyone together in the aftermath.

There is a facebook page “friends of John Crapo” that you can check out if you are so inclined.

He was a really good guy. I will miss him.  And this is how I will remember him. (and whenever I hear any songs from the movie “Lost Boys” I will always remember John. That was so our movie!)

Going clockwise: 1. My favorite picture of John in my room, 2. wearing my sharkskin jacket (it looked better on him anyway), 3. yes, that’s me with all my big 80’s hair. a little smooch, 4. John on my rx-7. He and Justin used to steal my keys and move my car to a different parking spot during school, 5. John and Justin at the commons, 6. John, Chris Blasi, Karen Cohen, and Dayna Klein hanging at my house, 7. my bed, 8. awesome black hat.

John (my John) also lost a friend this week. Matt Murray from the fire department died. Matt was a fantastic man, loved by everyone. He was always so nice and genuine and gave 69 years to the RVC FD. He was almost 90 years old and was active and busy until the end. He too will be sorely missed.

And if that’s not enough, Timmy’s preschool teacher Miss Donna lost her mom this week. Sending thoughts of love and support to her family as well.

That’s really too much already.

Today is April Fools Day and even though I’m not feeling particularly foolish due in great measure to all of the above bad news, you gotta have some laughs too. Get the balance right.

So, Jack and Patrick decided that they wanted to switch for the day and be…well, eachother! They are dressed as eachother (down to the sneakers), took eachothers backpacks and lunchboxes and are going into the wrong classrooms. The principal of their school gave her okay. The teachers don’t know though. I can’t wait to hear for how long they were able to pull it off. They did it last year too and really were so excited to try it again this year.

Timmy kept laughing and laughing this morning…and saying “Jack is Patrick!! Patrick is Jack!” And what that kid laughs, it’s impossible not to. Good. Cause I needed it.