It's taken me a while to post about this. I had a dear friend who was killed in an auto accident on Feb 1st. What a shock it has been. While the family has been strong for those of us in shock and disbelief, I know they are grieving privately and miss him so much. Stu was only 52 years old and had so much life to live. I have gone through the stages of grieving...shock, anger, sadness. It really puts things in perspective coming from someone who fought hard to stay on this earth with surgeries and chemo. It can all be gone in a milli-second. I wish he would have had the chance to fight, but sadly, he has been taken away from us....much too soon. I have known the Pettigrews for many years and just a few years ago had gotten to really know them and loved going out to eat and socialize with them. Stu was one of a kind and his love for life and his beautiful wife Marsha and daughter Mandy and son Brent was like no other. Sometime I would have to roll my eyes at the sheer love he had for Marsha and the kids, but I realize now he had something so special that I was most likely jealous and in awe of it. The humor that Stu brought to any table was amazing. My cheeks would hurt from laughing and my eyes would have tears rolling down them...he was that hilarious. I will always remember his zest for life and hope to live my life just as he did.....with no regrets. With that in mind, I wrote a poem for Stu, and I read it at his funeral. Here it is: Stu, you were taken from us way too soon. Not too long ago you were plucking your guitar, singing a Ted Nugent tune. Your love for your family set you far apart. You had a boisterous personality, and a REALLY big heart. You loved to ride your Harley, with Marsha on the back. Our cheeks would hurt from laughing with the jokes that you would crack. You were lactose intolerant….and everyone knew. We laughed out loud at those hilarious stories you would construe. From flambongos, to football, golf, bowling and riding. We hung on all your words with the tales you were describing. Your legacy will continue, your family will be your story. They will make sure memories of you will be “Stu in all his glory” Stu’s last words to Marsha were “I love you” And her’s to him, “I love you too” I am glad she got to hear those words, even if she already knew. I don’t think I could write a love story quite that profound. Because you see, I witnessed it every time they came around. Stu is in heaven looking down on his family and friends. I know he is praying for Greg to heal. Greg would be upset he is missing your life celebration, cuz let’s face it Stu, YOU were quite a big deal. So let’s rejoice in the life that Stu has built, wife, children and grands. Cuz the mold was broken when Stu was made, there will never be a better man. God Bless the Pettigrew family.
