Rest In Peace, Chris

Carl just emailed to tell me that Chris died.  Apparently he was in Philadelphia at a Pepsi plant when he collapsed next to his truck and they found him unresponsive, unable to resuscitate him.  

Chris suffered from a heart condition, and he nearly died several years ago before he was able to get his medication sorted.  I remember many days hanging out at the hospital in Fairfax, and then when he moved in with us, many trips to the VA hospital in Richmond.  Since it just happened today, no news on the cause, but I'm sure it's related.  He was cleared to drive trucks a couple years ago, so it's sad to see this happen now.  

It's hard for me to imagine his mother and father getting the news.  It was in 2005 when their youngest son died.  Now the middle son.  And Carl, the oldest, is left standing.  That's some shit.  Parents aren't supposed to bury their children.  Certainly not two. And certainly not when they're in their 30s and 40s.

I'll remember Chris for his love of the Capitals.  I've never known someone who enjoyed going to the games more than him. And for his insane amount of Civil War trivia knowledge. I think he could actually outdo Carl in that area.  

I'll also remember Chris for all those months he lived with Carl and I before we got married. All the times I nagged him about cleaning up his bathroom, which was also used for guests.  "Don't you know how to use a toilet brush?!?!" "Yes, I do, don't you?"  Yeah, we fought like he was my brother.  And, again later, in Richmond, when we made him a bedroom on the first floor so he didn't have to walk the steps.... Chloe wasn't a fan because that was her playroom and the two of them constantly bickered.  Carl always ended up sticking up for his brother and looking out for him.  I guess that time has passed now.  

Rest in peace, Chris.