Huge emotional swing

We came back from the wedding Saturday night and didn't check our messages. Sunday morning, when listening to the voice mail, Vic's brother, Paul, asked us to call him back. He didn't sound good. The news was awful. His wife, Bea, had died while white-water rafting in Colorado. She was on vacation with their daughter, Jane, and some friends. At some point during their run, they tried to help someone who had fallen out of another raft and in doing so their raft got flipped. Jane, Bea and the woman they were helping were apparently pulled down the river. Jane described going over rapids and coming to a calm section only to have the process repeated a few times. They got separated and she was helped out of the water by some hikers who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Bea was found further down the river. Jane is physically okay. She has a stiff/sore neck - physical wounds that will heal in short time.

We got to the city on Monday. The service was Tuesday. There was an incredible amount of people there. Both Paul & Jane spoke at the service, along with friends and her two nieces (her brother's daughters). It was quite moving as Jane read the letter she had written to her mother. Such composure and poise in the face of such a tragedy.

To go from such a range of emotions in such a short period of time....Eric & Caitlin were in my thoughts on Tuesday as Paul said goodbye to his wife. As one marriage starts surrounded by family & friends, the other needs that same support and love.