http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080103/NEWS01/801030392/
Daniel Ferraro died last night. Now, it was a stupid way to die. You don't go making pipe bombs to blow up an old wooden playhouse in your backyard, which is in the middle of a subdivision in a very populated suburb. You just don't.
But that's not the point. I knew him. He was Navy ROTC. He was in Pistol Club. He was my RA (and a good friend of mine)'s little brother. I have known him for a year and a half, because of all my navy classes. He was funny, witty, and just cool to be around. I always knew him as Ferraro. He was just a cool kid. He was also only 19.
This is the fourth Miami kid to die this school year. Two were hit by trains (both theoretically suicidal), one ODed on meds that he shouldn't have had in the first place, and now this. But this is the first guy I've known, and actually known, talked to, liked, and was generally good friends with, who has died. I've known others, yes, but it was a distant knowledge. Barely acquaintences.
Now, we're talking ROTC people here. They're a close knit family. I knew this kid. And I knew him well. I can see his face, hear his voice, hear his laugh, watch him play pranks. He was an amazing kid, even if he did do stupid stuff.
And I'm also good friends with Victoria, his older sister, my RA, and a good friend of mine. She's the one that taught me swing dancing can, indeed, be fun. She's dragged me along to dances, and convinced me to get out of the dorms (bless her heart). And now her little brother is gone. And I have no way to comfort her. And this hurts just about as bad. I know her parents, and I knew her brother. The only person I didn't know in her family was her little sister.
Visitation is going to be on Sunday from 4-8pm. I'm definately going, and for probably all four hours. I need to be there for them. I love that family, and I want to do all I can. The service will be at 10 am on Monday - I'm also going to that. They only live 10 minutes away from me.
I've been a complete wreck all day. When mom told me about it this morning, she didn't know that I knew him. But I've been crying and depressed all day. I'm just a complete mess. I can't focus, I can't concentrate, I can't do much of anything today. So if I'm not very conversational, I apologize right now. But I'm missing a great guy and grieving for his family and my friends. I'm not used to people I actually know really well dying. This is a shock to me, and I'm still trying to cope.
I hope everyone else is having a better day, and I will talk again later.
