Good Grief

I used to work in the meteorite thin section lab at the Johnson Space Center. The Hypervelocity Impact Gun Lab was right next door where impact simulations took place to determine damage of orbital debris.

I went through a lot of stress due to work situations there, and Gerry Haynes, the gunner for the lab, always had an ear and time and also coffee ready when need be. It pains me to type this.

He was one of a rare breed out there. He actually cared about people, loved his work and was so meticulous at his job that I can't imagine anyone else ever coming close to filling his shoes.

Tad and I found out mid last week he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Then Tad came home from work Friday and had been told Gerry had a stroke and was back in ICU and they couldn't stop the bleeding in his brain and there was no brain activity.

It happened that fast.

You would just have had to know Gerry to understand. I'm devastated. I'm so happy for him though that his dying was quick. I wish everyone I love could be that fortunate.

Tad and I will go to his service and see all the people I used to work with. Some I'll be glad to see, some not, but that's ok.

I wish I would have gone to the hospital right after I'd heard the news, but that's the way it goes. I could have given him a hug and kiss and let him know how much I appreciated his being there when no one else was.