Will

It’s something that’s been bothering me lately, something that’s made these recent days longer then they need be.

I met Will on the evening of Wednesday the 14th as I was on my way to visit some friends in a neighboring town. He was laying there in the road, motionless, silhouetted by the opposing car in front of him. It was cold out, bodily heat visible from the breaths of the people that were standing about, and as I pulled my truck in front him to block the traffic that would soon be coming from behind, I opened the door.  As a photographer by profession I am a visual person, I recall most everything that has been offered for my eyes over the years, it’s an uncanny trait of mine, and this image I saw before me I wish I never had. I wished it for my sake, but most of all I wished it for Will’s.

I stayed close, I talked to him and I let him know he wasn’t alone. I let him know he would be fine, he would be all right. When the paramedics arrived I quickly gave them the space they needed, got in my truck, and I left - that was it. 

As a new father I was genuinely emotionally stuck, I kept thinking of his hysterical mother by my side, by his - I mean could you parents imagine? Could you imagine!?

The next morning I frantically did internet searches until I came up with the accident report, this is where I found his name - Will Abrisch, and that they listed him critical condition, good news too me, considering the situation the night before. I prayed him a safe return. 

On Friday, the next day, I read in the newspaper that he has passed away due to the head injury he received. He was 14 years old.  His organs donated - and his heart was given to a boy from Ohio who apparently only had days to live.

I went to his funeral this afternoon, and if there was one thing to put a smile on my face at that moment, it was to know his gravesite sits up on a big hill that watches over the lake that I grew up on and, god willing,  will spend many, many heartfelt days growing older with my daughter.

So… this Holiday season I want everyone to remember to kiss your loved ones and count you blessings, take nothing for granted, and live everyday as it was your last. Life is fragile. So very fragile.