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I mistakenly deleted this post, so here it is again:

Originally posted on Friday October 26, 2007

I woke up this morning to find out that my friend Patsy's sweet husband passed away yesterday. I blogged about them before, he had metastatic melanoma. He called it mela-SUCKA-noma, but I'm pretty sure he meant mela-FUCKA-noma. He fought that beast hard for 100 days.

Hold your loved ones tighter today, in memory of Bryce Brown. Oh, and try to make a new friend somewhere along the way, because that's what Bryce would do.




I will add some more thoughts since the opporunity is here. Ever since I received the devastating news of Bryce's passing, I've done a lot of reflecting. I didn't know Bryce as well as I wanted to, or should have. Bryce was in my debate class, my sophomore year of high school. He was funny, a total pop-off. I always felt like he was out of my league so I didn't extend myself the way I should have. We did mock-trials together, he played the part of an attorney and I was a witness. He prepped me well, and was a kick-ass lawyer. That was Bryce-- he was just good at everything he put his mind to.

His wife is the one that I've referred to on this blog as Patsy, in my attempt to help her remain anonymous. However, because her blog has become quite high profile, and because she's wanting to speak up and warn the world about the dangers of tanning, I feel safe in referring to her as Tammy, for this post.

Someone on the outside might look at Tammy and think that she's had the world handed to her on a silver platter. She's had some unique privileges, that is true. However, while she could have easily lived the high life, she simply didn't. She loves and interacts with all people. She could just as easily dazzle the president of the united states, as she could a street vendor. Tammy has experienced some horrible, painful, heart wrenching times. She has faced some of the biggest challenges a person should never have to. Her dignity, grace, and ability to still have a sense of humor throughout it all still, is nothing short of miraculous. I can't believe how lucky I am to know her. I know I've praised her on this blog before, but I can't say these things enough.

Bryce had beautiful eyes and a warm smile. He was friends with everyone he met. Like Tammy, status meant nothing to him, he was unconditional. I've never seen Tammy happier, than she has been in the past 5 years with him. You know how girlfriends get together sometimes and gripe about their spouses? She never did that. She never once complained about Bryce to me. She loved him, every piece of him. Bryce was a big guy, and a lot to love. He worshipped his daughter. I was at their house just before his diagnosis, and I told him I wanted to take their baby home and keep her forever, and he quickly denied me.

It's beyond unfortunate that this most excellent human being had his life cut short. A lesson I've learned while standing on the sidelines of this ordeal, is that PEOPLE ARE GOOD. Forgive your grudges, open your hearts, be patient, be KIND!

Last, but not least, STAY AWAY FROM TANNING BEDS AND WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!!!