I know I jumped in the thread early yesterday, but I had a few more thoughts to share. I have dealt with my share of loss in my life. A lot of us have. One of my best friends died back in 2018. He was a real funny dude, and I had known him since I was about 12. He was the guy who got me hooked on fantasy football eons ago. After he died, I stayed off most social media and fantasy football for the better part of two years, because I just couldn't log on knowing that I would never see one of his funny jokes or posts again. You never get over loss, though the sting may fade a bit over time. Even still to this day, sometimes I run across something that I want desperately to share with him, and I start to...and then I remember. It sucks. He had teenage kids, and I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for them to lose their dad. I can only imagine that losing a child, a sibling, or a parent must be even many times worse than this.
Like many who are parents here, I hugged my kids a little extra today. I even took my youngest son out to the local minor league ballpark where we live for a game last night. It was our first time to catch a game in nearly two years, due to the pandemic. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I know full well that the day will probably come someday when we won't be able to do that anymore. I hope not for a long time, though. Nobody ever regretted spending too much time with their kids. I've met tons of people who wish they had spent more, though.
To Jake's family and friends, wherever you are - I did not ever have a chance to meet Jake, nor even any of you personally. He seemed like a wonderful young man, and I am deeply saddened by his loss. I cannot ever feel his loss quite the same way as you do, nor would I ever even presume to. But as a member of Longhorn Nation and a proud UT alum, I will stand beside you in spirit, shoulder to shoulder, and mourn with you along with thousands of others in this crazy extended family. I hope you will lean on those in this family who are closest to you at this time for comfort and support.