It was a beautiful Spring day in my neck of the woods today. Bright sunshine, with a few high clouds, and temperatures in the low 60’s. We decided to go for a hike at the Green Lane Reservoir Park, about ten miles from my house. We soaked in the beauty and peacefulness as we strolled along the wooded paths along the lower reservoir. The sun glimmered off the calm waters and old men fished on the edge of the reservoir. Families with small children frolicked on the playground. A large family enjoyed a cookout under the cover of trees just beginning to come to life. Teenagers played tennis on the aging courts. The remnants of a harsh winter were evident as we walked the trails through the blossoming woods. Mammoth hundred year old trees were toppled like sticks. The destructive ice storm in February had killed many living things before their time.
The landscape reminded me of a truly sad day in my life – July 10, 2013. As I nervously sat in the waiting room of the University of Pennsylvania Hospital for word about my wife’s surgical procedure, my cell phone rang and my oldest son was sobbing on the other side. His lifelong best friend Tyler had been killed in a one car crash early that morning. It was almost too much to bear. Tyler was a talented musician and a brilliant kid. He was one month from turning 21 years old. He made one bad decision and left this earth far too soon. I find myself being drawn to drive the road that was quarter mile from his home to see the tree he hit. The only evidence of that tragic day is a gash in the side of the huge tree.
My son Kevin, Tyler and their other friends loved to grab their fishing poles and head to the Green Lane upper reservoir where they would spend hours just taking in the beauty, bantering, and even doing some fishing. They thought there would be many more opportunities to spend peaceful summer days lazing in the sunshine. It wasn’t meant to be. Tyler’s dad knew how much Tyler loved to spend time with his friends at Green Lane. He contacted the Park Rangers at Green Lane and arranged for a bench looking out across the reservoir as a memorial to his son. After our hike we got in the car and drove to the upper reservoir in search of the bench. We found it after a short search. It was the only bench with daffodils planted behind it. The view from the bench was breathtaking.
We all felt his presence as a wind picked up off the lake. A melancholy feeling engulfed me, and Avalon teared up. As my younger sons sat on the bench after sending a picture of the plaque to Kevin at Penn State, I was thankful for my three sons. I will do anything to protect them, support them, and fight for their futures. But you never know what tomorrow will bring. Savor every moment with your loved ones.
Rock On Tyler !!!
Tyler and Kevin playing a song in our basement written by Tyler.
It takes a few moments of whirling around
Before your feet finally leave the ground
And fending off fears and hearing the call
And finally waiting for nothing at all
And the light is growing brighter now
And the light is growing brighter now
From the song Light, played by Phish at a concert that Tyler, my sons, and their friends had tickets to on the evening of his passing.
