"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."

that is a quote from truvy in "steel magnolias."  love that movie.

we've been crying and laughing this week here.  jay's father, larry, died today from a heart attack.  he had the attack on saturday.  he was driving.  people saw him veer into a ditch and got him out of the car, called 911, and started cpr.  the ems workers had a heart rhythm by the time he got to the hospital.  they treated him with a new hypothermia protocol.  but as they re-warmed him and began the tests that determine brain function.  but his responses were negative.

larry was a giving man.  he was always willing to give of his time and talents to help others.  even to the extent of being an organ donor.  those tests were being performed today and we will know soon if he is a candidate for donation and what, if anything, that they can harvest.  how great would it be for him to save more lives just by making a simple decision at the dmv?

so we've been reminiscing with family.  he wouldn't want us to be sad and mopey.  that wasn't larry.  he lived his life to the fullest.  he travelled often and lived a life most people dream of (well, if they love to travel).  he has a family who loves him and so many friends it is overwhelming.

we will truly truly miss him.  he was 56 years old.  much too young to call this life over.  but what a great life it was.