missouri

this was definitely not the reason i wanted to go to missouri.  neither did any of us.  my mom, ron and little brothers were able to leave the 16th - the day of - to try and get out there as soon as they could.  there wasn't enough room for jorel and i to hop in and go, so we waited until later in the week to ride with my sister and her family.  what a stinking rough week that was.  sitting around and waiting for the information and knowing that we couldn't be there to help or be a shoulder to cry on.  and the waiting.... oh man.  i made mike stay with me because i really didn't want to be alone.  he was a trooper and such a big support. he drove me down to kingman to meet my family for our forever long drive to missouri.  there were moments when you forgot why you were going and then you feel guilty for having a good time.  it's a really weird feeling to go through these emotions.  as we got closer to missouri, the pits in our stomachs were a little bigger and our hearts a little heavier.  we got there thursday night and the memorial service was the next day on the 22nd.  there were over 500 people at the service.  it was pretty incredible.  this kid was pretty amazing.  it was nice to hear all of the great things about him, but at the same time, you're left feeling almost more confused then before.  it was one of the hardest things a lot of us have had to face and to know that your biggest fear has come true is something hard to live with.  i know my brother is really strong and he and his wife will make it through this.

there is a website created in his honor at www.lukenugentmemorial.com .  please visit to know more about luke and if you can donate, that would be nice also.  the proceeds are going towards anti-bullying causes and worth the money.  please take a minute to at least get to know who this child was.