Today I take a detour of sorts on this real estate blog. Normally you will find a daily post about some aspect of buying real estate, some negotiating tactic or an inspection issue, or a market analysis of prices or days on market. But today I’ll talk about life, hence the title, “Life Happens.” There will be no search engine optimization of this post, nor any glitzy photographs. Just a true story.
I sold a home to an incredible couple from Georgia, and with tremendous excitement they moved their four boys and five truck loads all the way to Sequim. They just got moved into their new home about two weeks ago. I really have grown to love this couple as dear friends, and I identify with their family, because like me, they have four kids. I had three boys and one girl. They have four boys, ages 11, 15, 17, and 20. Last weekend their 15 year old boy died after a seizure.
We all suffer loss during this life. We just don’t know when it will happen. I attended a memorial service last night for Dakota, and it was very hard to maintain. Perhaps it was too close for me. I lost my son four years ago, and I know how hard it was and continues to be for everyone in the family. I saw how hard it was for my two other sons and my daughter (who is 15 now and also a friend of Dakota). There are still hard days when one of us needs to pick up the phone and just talk. We loved Jesse so much, losing him seemed almost unbearable. And so it is for Dakota’s family now.
I am deeply grateful that Sequim has already surrounded this family with outpourings of love and support. The Sequim High School kids filled a large banner 15 feet long with personal handwritten notes of love. The family’s neighborhood has rallied to provide food and support night and day. Local Churches have asked if they can help.
I am also grateful that Dakota’s parents, Larry and April, have each other, and that the boys, Zack, Austin, and Quinn are such fine young men devoted to each other and that they have their faith to lean on.
Life is unpredictable, and that’s why I titled this article, “Life Happens.” Life doesn’t always happen according to our plans. In fact, it almost certainly will take some detours along the way. In this case, the loss of a beautiful young man who was handsome and athletic, who had the kind of moral standards and good character we could only wish for all our children, is almost overwhelming. It just breaks the heart.
One thing for sure. There are many who love this family, and we will rally around them and lift them up every day for as long as it takes.
Last Updated on September 29, 2011 by Chuck Marunde
Wow! On behalf of Larry, Zack, Austin, Quinn and our precious Dakota, thank you Chuck for your heartfelt words. We are so incredibly overwhelmed and blessed by the outpouring of love and support from the Sequim community. Thank you for being a dear friend!
This is one of the best articles I’ve ever read. I lived in Washington State for the longest time and my cousins lived in Sequim which wasn’t that far away. It’s amazing how a small town can grow to achieve anything. Micheal Berry was a local firefighter died a few years ago and all the towns got together to fight to keep the family up. Sequim helped his family through everything it was remarkable experience.