another friend i'll meet in heaven...

is it ok to tell God that i'm sick of going to funerals? and that i'm sick of going to funerals for friends my own age...in their 20's. robbie was one of the most incredible people to know, laugh with, and count as a friend. in high school he was part of my dad's small group at church and quickly became close friends with dana, dating for a while, then remaining good friends. the time and soul and heart my dad pours into the guys he mentored in small group can not be described in words. he counts them as his own children. another father to many. loves them like his own. robbie was one of his best buddies. 2-3 years ago robbie was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the frontal lobe. fortunate enough, they were able to operate to remove it a few months before dana's wedding. he was still able to attend her wedding and party like the best, celebrating dana and steve. virtually given a clean bill of health, he was required to go back for scans every few months. in May 2010 we got the devestating news that things were not good. they had detected 2-3 additional tumors in the oscipital lobe. unoperable. cancerous. fast growing. aggressive. all the words you don't want to hear. no. this could not be true. he was so full of life and loved living it. he had just traveled to Japan as well as went sky diving. he was the perfect friend to countless others. the laugh of the party. center of attention with a personality that drew you in. his courageous fight lasted until August 22, 2010 when the Lord called him home. finally without suffering, no more pain. and now we're left with the memories and laughter i can still hear in my head...until we meet again one day. what a joy to know with faith, we will rejoice again together.

we miss you everyday robbie. your incredible spirit and excitement for life will remain in us all. and your smile engraved in our hearts.

as dana said last week, she could not get this song out of her head...

"i went sky diving

i went rocky mountain climbing

i went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fu man chu

and i loved deeper

and i spoke sweeter

and i gave forgiveness i'd been denying

and he said someday i hope you get the chance

to live like you were dying..."

dana's Sweet 16 party

my dad's small group at Camp Brainerd, senior retreat

(robbie is in the middle, black dress shirt)

from dana's scrapbook. one of her homecoming dances. photos with big sis.

Lake Wallenpaupack. boating with friends for the day.

another page from dana's scrapbook. there are too many to post them all!