In the presence of something special

I think that is a good way to describe today.
It started by like most weekends by going to a race. Our team http://meredith-gpoateam.com/
was in full force. This is where the first part of special comes in. Geronimo is fresh off a 3rd place in a hard road race yesterday http://www.geronimok.blogspot.com/ Jared & Nate, our sprinters supreme are there. Super toughman Hacker is excited about the most agressive preme and Steevo, Stubna, Graff and myself are also present. Long story short. Splits everywhere, people attacking everywhere three groups form and we have 6 up front. Stephan wins with a wicked sprint, Nate is top five after a huge bridge. Hacker tows around eveyone's least fave racer and still gets ninth. Stubna attacks the "field" at 2 for 10th. Steevo attacks the "field at1 for 11th & Jared crushes the sprint for the last paying spot. WOW! Yes I am humbled to be a part of this team. Great riding guys.
The other part of my day was not so pleasant, yet was right in line with the blog title. The father of one of Amy's two best friends passed away very unexpectedly on Thursday, and today was the viewing and short service. I had only ever met Joe Britt once or twice, however the impact this man had on people's lives was obviously profound and quite obvious today. A husband, a father, a grandfather, a serviceman, a friend are just a few things Joe Britt was to many people. People came to pay their last respects to the Joe Britt that thay knew and loved. As I said, I did not know Joe. I do know Joann, his youngest daughter. She is one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. A loving wife, mother and friend. It is obvious that these traits were directly from her father. I feel so profoundly sad when people lose a loved one. You wake up one day or come home from work and the world as you know it is forever changed. This isnt' graduation, moving, divorce, or falling out of touch, it is final. There will never be another chance to pick up a phone and say hello. There is no reunion or summer party, there is no chance to reconcile.
Whenever you are having a bad race, day at work, argument with someone you love, think long and hard about the special people in your life right now. We are all in the presence of something or someone very special.
Some parting thoughts from Paul Westerberg of The 'Mats circa 85ish
"The ones who love us best are the ones will lay to rest, and visit their graves on holidays at best."
"The ones who love us least are the ones we'll die to please, if it's any consolation I don't begin to understand it."