Tragedy

Friday I learned that one of my friends from High School lost a son on Monday. My friend Amanda called me in the morning and had asked me if I had talked to Mandy Lately. I said "not recently, why what's going on?" I could tell something was strange because she was talking in a soft quiet voice. She said "Mandy's son got hit by a car and I think he died." All I could say was "WHAT!?" She told me that her mom had found out but didn't know all the details. I was just freaked out!

I had just gotten back in touch with Mandy after so many years, the last time I saw her was when her daughter was about 18 months old and she is now 7. I got a letter from her one day, somehow she was able to find me by my married name. In the letter she told me she was living in Texas and had two other kids. I was so happy to hear from her! I replied to her letter and also sent her an E-mail to the address she gave me but I never got a response. Months past and I just wondered why she never replied then one day one of my cousins invited me to join Facebook. I didn't really know much about it but I did a search on people who went to the High School I went to and there she was. I immediately sent her a message and she finally replied. We were both really excited and we E-mailed back and forth, she was now living in New Mexico she said she didn't really like it there and that she had lived there once before. In the last message I sent her I gave her my number so that she could call me. That was September 3rd.

After Amanda called and told me about the tragedy....I just kept thinking about what she is going through. I was crying on and off at work, I just felt so horrible. I wanted to know when it happened so I did a search on the internet and I found his obituary....he was only 3 years old and he was going to be 4 this month. I cannot imagine what a nightmare it would be to lose a child, the mere thought of it brings me to tears.

I wanted to call Mandy but when I got home I realized that I didn't have her number. I tried to get a hold of my other friend so I could get the number from her but, nothing.

This morning the first thing that popped in my head was "Mandy is burying her child today." Even as I type I am trying to hold back tears....but it is not working.

I will try to get a hold of her on Monday....I don't know what to say but I do want to let her know that she has a friend to talk to and that even though I am so far away I will do my best to help her with whatever she needs.

Brenton "Monkey" Andrade
(October 28, 2004 - September 29, 2008)

Services are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 4, at Trinity Temple Assembly of God for Brenton Jade Andrade of Artesia, New Mexico.

Brenton Andrade, 3, died Monday, September 29, 2008 at Artesia General Hospital Emergency Room.

Brenton was born October 28, 2004 in Roswell, N.M.

Survivors include his parents Andrew and MandyJo Andrade of the family home; sister Rakayla Andrade of Artesia; brother Dominic Andrade of Artesia.