Loss.

Today brought the terrible news that a young friend of mine, Bobby, passed away in his sleep last night.  He was only 17 years old.  He wasn't feeling well last night, took some Mucinex, and never woke up.  There was nothing anyone could do.

I first met Bobby when he was in the Local Theatre's kids touring troupe, under direction of my mom.  He was only six, and just barely.  He was shy and quiet but driven to perform.  He was one of the most talented people I have ever known.  I have a picture he drew of me somewhere when he was just a kid.  He used to ask me to destroy it, but I never did.  When I can deal with this, I will have to find it in the piles of things to be scrapbooked.

Bobby was very active in local theatre, from PTP to high school productions and everything in between.  He was in rehearsals for several shows, and landed many of his dream roles this year.  Unfortunately, he will not perform them in this world, and I am sure there will be understudies and people to fill in, but the stage will not showcase a more dedicated performer than Bobby.

A long, long time ago when he was just a kid, he decided we were married.  It was adorable.  He was my buddy, who eventually grew into a teen, and later a man who knew who he was and what he wanted from life.  He was a gifted actor/singer/dancer and literally lived his art.  He always was willing to help a friend, to hug someone who needed it, to listen.  He was like another little brother to me.

I will always remember the little things: dance pants, Fosse, laughing, that picture he drew (it's really one thing we always joked about), and just being around his always positive energy.

Bobby will be missed on stage, by his friends, and his family.  This is a tough time for everyone, and my heart especially goes out to his mom, dad, and sister, as well as all of his family members.

I love you, Bobby.  Thanks for spending some of your brief time on this planet with me.  I am honored to have known you as well as I did.  See you on the other side.

Bobby in "The Producers" modeling for Press Photos I took. 

Bobby, Amy, and I outside PTP after a show.

Bobby, me, and Sean performing "Steam Heat".  Oh, Fosse.

Encore Kids.  I'm in orange, Bobby is the little kid behind me slightly to the right under the kid in blue face paint.  He was between 6 and 7 I think at the time.

"School House Rock Live!"  I'm the girl in yellow with pony tails, Bobby is the kid in the red cap in the front row, almost directly in front of me.  He drew the picture of me at this time, with a yellow shirt, pig-tails, and those goofy freckles.  He was also 6 to 7 in this shot, I think.