Four Men Down

I feel a little weird writing this to you.


But for some reason I felt compelled to.


My name is Jim Labadie.


I'm 35 years old.


I played football when I was in high school.


Four guys I played with back in the day are already gone.


Mike and Kevin died of cancer.


Dane died from a heart attack thanks to drugs, alcohol and Marlboro Reds.


Paul was in the World Trade Center on one of the top floors on that day in September.


I think about these men every so-often just to remind myself how short life is. How precious life is.


It's New Year's Eve Day as I write this.


The perfect time, I think.


Do what you love.


Be great at it.


Be grateful for it. For all of it.


I love you all.


Your friend,


Jim Labadie