Another person I think I should recognize...

After posting the thing about Ben Petersen, I decided there is somebody else who has passed that I should recognize. Thomas Manatt. Tom is my best friend, Sarah Manatt's, father. Last summer (about a year and 2 months ago) he went on a canoeing trip with his youngest son (17 at the time) Rob Manatt. They were going down the Skunk River just north of Ames. They approached a damn along the way. Using his judgment, Tom decided that they could make it over and through without problems. He was wrong. They went over and capsized. Rob was wearing a life jacket, Tom was not. Tom, being a avid outdoorsmen and big man, thought he would be able to handle himself. He was wrong again. They think he may have hit his head somewhere along the way. He was caught by the current and drowned in about 4 feet of water. Rob tried his best to reach his father, but was beginning to get caught in the same current. He went to the shore, kicked off his shoes and ran (through the middle of the woods) to their vehicle. When he got there, he smashed in the door to get to the cell phone to call 911. Tom was found down stream. How devestating. Rob went to the hospital and recieved treatment ONLY for the wounds on his feet from running stocking foot through the woods.
Sarah was living in Idaho at the time. Her mother was in Mexico on vacation with friends and was unreachable until she got off the plane. Sarah called me that afternoon hysterical. We cried on the phone together for at least an hour. She flew back as soon as she could get a flight. Her older brother, Sean, flew home from California shortly after. Her mother was told 2 days after it happened in the Des Moines airport. Can you imagine?
I went to the funeral. Tom Manatt owned a company called "Manatt's." It was a redimix/asphalt company here in Ames. For the funeral, they washed and waxed all the mixers and trucks and had them lined up in front of the church. He had built that company from the ground up. There was a wake. I don't do well at these things, but I did it for Sarah... and for my own peice of mind. I didn't truely believe he could be gone. He seemed to be the strongest man alive. Tom was like a father to me. I saw him more than my own father! He always teased me about my piercings and tattoos. So, in honor of him... I decided to take my tounge ring out. I place the barbel in his casket at the wake. I know it sounds corny... but it was our little thing. :)
A year later, they still had not burried his ashes. They were waiting for the perfect spot at the cemetary to be plotted and specially landscaped. They put him close to the road where the Manatt's trucks drive by everday. They planted a tree in honor of him. So, when it was all taken care of, they scheduled the burrial. I was there again. Still in awe of everything that was happening, I cried some more with Sarah.
This isn't the only devestation for this family. A month after Tom passed away, his older brother passed away. He was driving his truck with his son in the passenger seat (who happens to be Rob's same age) when he had a heart attack. He flipped the car. He passed away before an ambulance could arrive and his son walked away with a broken heart and some scratches. Eerie.
Then, shortly after the actual burrial date, Linda Manatt (Tom's widow) was diagnosed with cancer in her thyroid. She was put through surgery and radioactive treatment and seems to be doing better. How much can one family take? They are all strong and amazing people.
Everyone can learn a lesson from this. NEVER, EVER, EVER take advantage of life. Never hold back. If you want to tell somebody how much they mean to you... or tell them that you love them... DON'T hold back. It may be your only opportunity.