While I see a lot of sadness at work, I am a very fortunate person otherwise to have lost a fairly small number of people that were truly close to my core. I lost my grandfather when I was still a bit too young to really understand what was going on. Losing my cousin, Kraig, suddenly and at a young age was hard. Seeing how it changed my Aunt & Uncle forever was even harder. Losing my other grandfather, Leland, remains one of the worst things I’ve ever imagined or experienced, and there is truly not a day that he doesn’t pass through my mind in some way. Easter Sunday added another void when we lost Tim Dupree. I’ve known him for as long as I can remember, and he was like family. My mom & his wife Linda have been best friends since my mom was wearing purple suede spike heels and I wasn’t even a blip on the radar yet. My dad & Tim have worked together a lot, he built their home (see photo, taken on Christmas Day 2006), and my brothers spent a lot of time helping Tim with his various properties. We spent every Christmas Day with them, enjoying a cozy gathering at their place that instantly became a favorite tradition. They used their wealth in all the very best ways – their hearts pulse with generosity, and make everyone they meet feel like a VIP, whether you were the waitress at dinner or a high profile politician. Tim was an amazing man who made life better. He was the toughest teddy bear ever. He was important to me, to my family, and to everyone who crossed paths with him. I learned new things about his generosity at the funeral…he was so generous that three ministers presided over the ceremony, and one church couldn’t even hold all those who came to celebrate his life.
I’ve been so moved since I got the phone call from mom. I just can’t believe he’s gone. I miss him. And my heart is with Linda.
I’m so sorry, and my heart goes out to your whole family. <3
Thank you <3