December 3, 2012. Harper, Texas. Darwin James Dickie.

I knew this call from my sister in law Wilma would be a bad call.     Normally, we communicate regularly with e mails.  She knew we were in Mexico, so a call on my cell phone seemed ominous.  Fortunately I picked up the call immediately and returned her call .    My nephew Darwin, her son, had died from a heart attack.   It was stunning.  Darwin was 47, thin and fit, yet he died.   He and his wife Wanda have a four year old son and a step son Dorian.   It seems unbelievable that he has gone from the family at such a young age.

We last saw Darwin on our 281 trip, where we ended up in Brandon where Keith and Wilma live.  Darwin and Wanda live in a small town just outside  Brandon, at Glenboro, where he worked as a para medic.  He had everything going in his direction, with a good job and a lovely wife and two fine sons.  We were so pleased to see him and his family.  And they were driving to our 55th celebration in Texas next Fall.   He was especially looking forward to seeing David and Andrew again.  They had not seen each other since they all married.  But he has gone.

At a time like this, a person is helpless to be of help to the family.  Wilma is still reeling from the passing of her husband Keith last year,  and now her fine son Darwin is gone too.  It seems unfair that such lovely people have so many troubles.  It is just not fair at all.