We've been missing Fred for a year now. It's hard to believe it's been that long since he has been gone. It doesn't seem possible that a whole year has gone by without him. We have felt the void for sure. There's not as much "chaos" and laughing at family functions now. Things just haven't been the same. Fred definitely loved to laugh...and he always knew how to make others laugh. It was constant fun when "uncle" Fred was around!
He would be so proud of his niece and all his nephews. Andrea is married now and expecting her first baby. Fred would have been a "great" great-uncle! Austin graduated from high school this month. Cameron and his baseball team won first place in a tournament today. These are only a few of the things that his niece and nephews have done that Fred would have loved to be a part of. He loved all of them so much!
We found out a while ago that the news station Fred worked for, CBS46 in Atlanta, was nominated for an emmy for their coverage of the hurricane that hit a little over a year ago. My brother hadn't been on the air for some time and was very sick, but he had the opportunity to cover the storm live that night with one of his dearest friends and camera man, Joe. It was the last time that Fred would ever appear on the air as a reporter. That coverage was included in the emmy nomination. To win an emmy is a great honor in the industry...perhaps one of the greatest. The awards will be announced next coming weekend. (We are all keeping our fingers crossed!) Regardless of the outcome, we are all so proud of Fred...and are honored that he was included in the nomination.
It's amazing how much it still hurts though. I still have moments where I lose my breath...thinking of him. My thoughts are mostly good ones. I remember how he used to leave the BEST phone messages when he called, how he could turn an ego waffle into a gourmet looking (and tasting) breakfast, how he would plan non-stop fun activities for us all when we came to visit, his almost TOO funny cards he sent in the mail for special occasions, and the enthusiasm he showed in all that he did...wether it was painting his bathroom, rearranging his art throughout his house, watching a Braves game, or really...ANYTHING! He was passionate about everything!
Of course I still remember the pain he was in towards the end. It breaks my heart thinking of all that he went through and how much he suffered during the three year battle he had with horrible cancer.
Life won't be the same without him...but we are so glad that we had the opportuntiy to experience life WITH him. He taught us so much and we are better off having loved him!
So here's to Fred! I love you bro - with all my heart! And I always will!
Katherine (Fred's baby sis)
