I'm at a loss for words, tragic news. Life is too short and too delicate for some.

Sorry Tim.

Out of all the things I saw in 29 years in the FD, dead kids were the worst. I've had to comfort parents who had lost a child. Bad day to be a fireman.

I try to apply to my life the Garth Brooks song, If tomorrow never comes.

"So tell that someone that you love
Just what you're thinking of
If tomorrow never comes"

Cheers...Rob

Very sorry Tim. It didn't seem that long ago when you posted that picture of her ride. How special that was for her.

Very sad news...My deepest sympathy

This hits way too damn close to home for me, My most sincere condolences to the girl's family and friends. My younger daughter 32 years old on Christmas eve, is now a cancer survivor. Just about the worst year of my life but we still have her with us and she tests cancer free. Thank you for taking the time to take this young lady for a plane ride, things that make them smile are way too infrequent during the fight.

Tim:

Sorry for the loss of your young friend........As I reflect on the photo capturing the smile on her face while sitting in your 182's right seat, I am certain you helped make her time on earth, at least for that single day, enriched.

Flynengr

Hey guys, thanks for your posts. Lots of good folks in this forum.

I have been reflecting a lot today. I have a healthy wife, four healthy kids and eleven healthy grandkids. I am so blessed. That ride last August with my young friend was the most fun I have had in a long time. Was the highlight of my flying.

Her photo goes up in the hobby shop.

Tim

Wow--when I clicked on this thread, I remembered the picture. The hair on my neck stood up, thinking that an update to this post wasn't gonna be good

My thoughts are with you and the family.

I have a good friend whos son lost the battle last Febuary at age eleven, after a 6 year battle. During his treatment, I was building a Vans RV-8 in our shop. He was a cautious type, and was looking it over one day. I asked him if he would ride with me when I was finished, thinking he would say "NO WAY". He thought about it for a minute, and asked if there was instructions. After I showed him the manual, he said "I will go with, but only if you follow the instructions"

Unfortunately, he lost the fight a couple months before my first flight, and we never did get that ride.

My wife Jean is director for Hospice at Sharp Hospital here in San Diego.. SHe tells me cancer in younger and middle age folks is on the rise and is rather shocking how many younger people are being taken by this scourge...As for outliving your kids.... We're coming up on the worst day of my life here on the 20th. The day a 17 year old in a big hurry passed two cars over a double line and hit my 25 year old head on... He was killed instantly.. Not a day goes by we don't think of him and I fly with his picture on the panel... outliving your kids sucks and its not the natural order of life..I truly feel his pain... good job Tim. My condolences to her dad and family...