Today I mark the 7th year since my beloved, Bryce, passed away in my arms.
My Dad, and best buddy of Bryce, passed away March 7th of this year.
When my dad was in and out "of it", he once said to me to that I needed to relax because Bryce is okay.  And my Dad said Bryce was waiting for him.
I find comfort in that for both of them but my grief feels horribly compounded by the loss of the two most important men I have ever loved.  That said, they better BOTH be waiting for me when it's my time.

I had rowed on a crew team with Bryce in my first year at Redwood High School in Larkspur, CA during 1976/77. The old boathouse was near where Larkspur Landing is now and yards from where Clint Eastwood jumped from a railroad trestle onto a hijacked school bus in the movie "Dirty Harry". Our coach was a retired Scotsman named Robert Cumming. The new boathouse - relocated to the other side of Highway 101 in the 1980's - is named after him.
Bryce and us other freshman were "novices" on the crew team and we sometimes rowed in a "shell" of 4 rowers and a coxswain or 8 rowers and a coxswain. We learned how to row together as novices and the older and more experienced Redwood High Crew rowers would usually look down on us novices as 'wet behind the ears'. I always rowed "starboard" - meaning the oar was on my left side. I recall Bryce being near me in the boat sometimes so that means his oar was on the right side - "port". For rowers it was difficult to switch sides once are muscles got used to rowing on one particular side - day after day, month after month.
     Bryce was not taller than average but I felt he was stronger than me. On the other hand his attitude was that of a gentle and kind person.That was in contrast to the 'tough guy' talking and swearing that many of the other rowers exhibited at the boathouse. Bryce must've felt secure in himself to stick to his good-hearted nature. During our practice I remember once he got annoyed by some equipment problem that made the rowing more difficult for him. Instead of showing anger he noisily exhaled, smiled and laughed a little. That left an impression on me! When I think about that now I realize he must've had a good upbringing. I'm glad there was a friendly person like Bryce to talk to at the boathouse.
     Workouts finished around 5:30pm or so. Sometimes somebody would have a car and we could get a ride home. I remember Bryce lived in a beautiful area in the redwoods called Madrone Canyon near downtown Larkspur.
     When I found out that Bryce had passed away through our high school website it 'hit home'. After my sadness the good memories of Bryce returned. I realized I was lucky to have known him in my early years. As I read more about Bryce I felt uplifted because he was able to share some of his life with his family - Lori, Hannah and Skyler - as well as his other family members.
Great memories of Bryce to remind me what kindness is about!