| Message | How do you say in 1500 characters what your nephew, Nick Venuto, meant to you? How do you say anything to deal with the loss of a person so young, so obviously happy and full of love for his wife, his children, his family, his work, and all those whose lives he touched? The only way I know is to try to find blessings amid this trajedy. The first blessing for me is just to have known Nick. I saw him grow from a baby, to a boy "blowing" more than "playing" the tuba, to a handsome young man, to someone I thought of as a friend and a role model as a husband, father, and professional. My life and the lives of my family have been enriched by Nick. The second blessing is that Nick taught, or tried to teach me greater patience. He did so as a child, when I wanted to rush around, practically dragging him by the arm, during the summer "cousin swap" visits that my son John spoke of at the vigil last night. He did so as an adult, when he rode with me and my three children on the first leg of my bike ride across the US, and I saw him being so patient with me, and especially with my daughter Nicole, on the climb into Alpine that was not as easy for us as for him. He taught me with his easy calmness and his great smile. The third blessing is the lesson in his loss. He teaches us to hold on to each day, to each experience, and to each person, like that moment may be your last. I know Nick had a wonderful way of doing that. Thank you Nick for your gifts. Rest in peace. |