Remembering Friends
There’s just something about a sunset…and when the sunset is shared with good friends, good wine, and a shed rooftop in Tuscany, what could possibly be better? Richard and I visited Italy in 2007 and part of our trip was in the Grossetto province of Tuscany. There we shared a villa with our good friends, Craig & Kristen Stevens, Brad Munroe and his girlfriend Carlyn. Kristen, Brad and I worked together for three years at Brad’s brother’s company. The company was sold, we went our separate ways, but we always stayed in touch.
In 2003, Kristen moved across the country, met and married the love of her life, and my daughter, Jessica, and I flew to LA to watch Kristen say “I do.” Brad was there, too. Video recording the main event, teaching my daughter how to play pool, and he even convinced her to step out of her comfort zone and sing Karoke with him (to Rage Against the Machine no less!)
In 2003 and 2004 I went through a divorce and breast cancer and then in 2006, I re-met and married Richard, my soul mate, my partner in crime, my one true love.
Brad moved to Utah in 2006 where he met, Carlyn…the love of his life. The woman who was as playful and adventurous as he was. When I saw them together for the first time, I knew that in each other, they found their kindred spirit.
In 2007, the three of us, Kristen, Brad and I came together again in Italy. We had a fabulous time. Old friends and new friends breaking bread, drinking wine, and exploring what Tuscany had to offer us. Richard and I saved a bottle of our Poggio Vacchio wine to share when we were all together again.
Little did we know we’d find ourselves together just six weeks after our trip. Kristen and Craig flew in from California. Carlyn flew in from Utah. Richard and I drove to Brad’s home town Newton, Massachusetts from Derry, New Hampshire. We gathered together for Brad’s funeral.
Brad was the kind of guy who inspired those around him to be better, do better, and live life fully. Brad had this magical way of making a tough situation easier, a bad situation better, and he turned poison into medicine.
Brad died in an accident, doing what he loved and living his life to the fullest. He never did anything half way. He was an old soul who left the rest of us way too soon. In honor of Brad, I give you
Under The Tuscan Sunset
Watching the sunset from the rooftop (Craig and Carlyn)
Bravisimo!
Fantastico!
Beautiful pictures and a lovely, heartwarming story of a dear friend. It is always hard to lose people who have touched us with their warmth and energy. I think the best tribute to them is to pass that warmth and energy along, don’t you? ((((HUGS)))))
suZen
Dear SuZen,
Thank you so much for you presence here today! I whole heartedly agree – the best tribute is to pass their warmth and energy along!
xxoo
Beautiful sunset!!!
Thanks Jessica!
What a moving post, Peggy, and gorgeous pictures. I hope that when it’s my time to go, I feel as if I’ve lived a full, loving and satisfyingly adventurous life. I would love to die in the midst of what I love. Who knows what that will be at the time, but if I could die with a smile on my face, all the better.
Energy never leaves, it just changes form. Brad continues to inspire this world in a new dimension.
Hi Megan,
What started out as my Under The Tuscan Sunset (and really, I was just going to post the pictures!) turned into a little something more. Every time I think about my last trip to Italy, I can’t help but think of Brad.
And the funny, weird, “It Must Be a Sign” thing – I was going through work from the last writing class I took in late 2007. I found a sketch for a story about Brad…what I posted yesterday is the beginning of something a little more…;-) I want to capture the three days Brad and Carlyn were with us in Tuscany…I think the timing is right
And thank you so much for this, “Brad continues to inspire this world in a new dimension.” That’s just so AWESOME!
Hi Peggy,
I love the pictures that you included with the post. They were all so beautiful and peaceful.
It is so true that we never know when this fantastic ride will end. It sounds like your friend Brad lived life to the fullest and that is awesome. May more and more people learn to do that for it will make their lives so much more fun and fulfilling.
And just as Megan said, Brad may not be here in physical form, but his spirit still lives on and inspires us through what you wrote.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
Dear Nadia,
Thank you so much! With people like you, Megan, Jodi, Suzen, and so many others, we may just be able to TEACH people to live their lives to the fullest. There’s just nothing better than being around happy, fulfilled people!
xxoo
Dear Peggy,
What great friendships and it’s so wonderful that each of you in turn found your soul mates. It is so fortunate that you all had this shared experience in Tuscany before your friend’s passing. I always find it confusing when someone leaves too soon. I think it is wonderful that you are honoring him here, as well as your other close friends, by writing this post. Great pictures.
Hi Jodi!
We all found it very confusing when Brad died. A few days short of his 40th birthday…my husband, the Army solider that he is, cried. He had only known Brad for those three days in Tuscany, but Brad had this way of bringing you into his life and making himself a part of your life.
My daughter is living her life right now, in large part because what Brad was able to teach her in the 5 or 6 hours they spent together that night in LA. He taught her not to fear life. To embrace it and all that it has to offer.
I think I have a lot more to write about Brad!
…glad you liked the pictures!
Great pictures! And a wonderful post commemorating wonderful friends.
Dear Carolyn,
Thanks so much!
Moving story, indeed! Losing a good friend is very hard to go through. I lost my high school best friend about a year & a half ago, who was 26 years old. I wish I could write such beautiful and loving words like you were able to express for Brad. I just don’t have the talent for writing. I believe people come into our lives for a reason.
Hi Marci,
I am so sorry you lost your best friend. And how right you are – there is a reason why we have the people in our lives that we do. I’m of the belief that they’re each here to teach us something. Brad taught me a LOT!
Peggy