Dear Readers,
This has been a terrible time for Bob and myself. I posted all the details of our plight on the website at https://www.conchtv.com/key-west/lynda, on Feb. 16th, and if you went to it during the week you were, no doubt, aware of what awfulness we were going through.
For those who did not check the website, let me get you updated. On Wednesday, Feb. 16th, I got word that my dear brother, Fred Stevens, died unexpectedly, as he was on a golf vacation with his golf group in Hilton Head. My brother, Ed called me to tell me this news you never want to hear….He said, “Lynda, we lost our brother!” I can still see myself fall to the floor and scream out in misery when I heard this. I tearfully called Bob, and he came home immediately and we got ourselves ready to depart for Ohio and yet, another funeral for a beloved family member. You see, my brothers, Ed and Fred, are not just brothers…they were two of my most precious friends. We all shared a crushing blow when we lost Mom in September, but losing Fred came out of nowhere. In fact, it was a freak accident and very disturbing to say the least.
He had a wonderful round of golf on 2/15, and, as we heard from all his golf friends, he was in a celebratory mood as were they. Sometime during the wee hours of the morning, Fred got up to go to the rest room…estimate time of that was app. 3 AM….he fainted or collapsed, landed on the rim of the tub and suffocated to death, his stomach cutting off air to his lungs. Had someone heard him or found him during this time, he would probably be alive today. There are no answers, only great sadness and many questions……We are all desolate with this tragedy to befall our family….for that is exactly what it is…a tragedy.
Fred was a wonderful son, brother, father, lawyer, husband, uncle, husband, in-law, and friend. He was great fun, very intelligent, a super athlete, game player, avid reader, and the list goes on. He was kind and honest and good to everyone. He loved his family and we loved him. That I am talking about Fred in the past tense, is something I can barely stand. Our hearts are all filled with such pain, it is hard to describe.
I thank everyone who did know about this and reached out to us this week, at the visitation on Feb. 21 and the funeral on Feb. 22. Thanks for phone messages, e-mails, cards, flowers, etc. Your kindness and generosity…your lovely messages of sympathy and support meant more than words can say. During these past two days, hundreds of people came through to pay their respects, and if you were there, know how deeply your presence at the wake and the funeral service meant. To top it off, on Mon, 2/21, there was quite a snowfall, mixed with ice and it did not deter people from coming. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we try to deal with this great loss, and move forward. In one moment, the entire dynamic of our family has changed. Fred’s death leaves an enormous void in our lives.
Please know that is why I have not been sending out my daily events list. I do hope each of you understand.
As I said before, please hang on to those you love….let them know how much they mean to you in both words and actions. Life is very precious and very fleeting. We do not want to have any regrets.
With love to you,
Lynda
PS You can go to www.rybickifuneralhome.com to find out further information about my brother Fred.
Lynda, My deepest sympathy. When things happen that you don’t have time to prepare for, the grief is compounded in such a manner that there is no emotional defense for it. Be gentle with yourself during this time.
Don BoothDon Booth