Another loss-

I haven't updated in a while, but it's because our family has suffered another traumatic loss. It's been a rough year, and I just pray that things will get better.

My cousin Eli, was hit by a train early last Friday (7.11.08) morning. It just doesn't seem real. He and a couple of girls were driving down the dirt road and they stopped to let the train by. Eli got out of the car, and decided to scare the girls and do a train dodge. He jumped, but it was too late. Eli was so fun and such a daredevil. I am just heartbroken that it took his life. He was only 25 years old. He was my favorite cousin. I spent all my childhood with him. He was my best friend. We played ninja turtles, rode our bikes to town, went swimming, visited neighbors, spent our snow days together, and enjoyed our lives together. He was so much fun. He loved playing pranks, and scaring the crap out of everyone. There are many stories about him, but the ones that stand out to everyone are the pranks he pulled on them.

He lost his dad less than a month before. He has a girlfriend, a son who is almost 2, a mother, an older brother and a younger sister. Everyone is devastated, including the whole town. It's been a rough week.

Last night was his memorial. It was held at his workplace (a restaurant). They were his family too. He worked there for over 10 years. It was very hard walking in there b/c there were so many people. I had a rough time, but by the end, we were hearing stories of his pranks and we were all laughing. It's what he would have wanted.

Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. This was such a tragic accident that we are all pretty torn up. There are moments where it seems real, and moments where it doesn't. He was so loved. I just pray that Ruthie and his son can grow up and share their lives together just as Eli and I once did.

This is a photo of Eli and I on my wedding day.