Not Again :(

[Kramer 0]

Three days ago, my boss from my summer job died at the age of 47 in a car wreck. Today, I found out that my neighbor died of a heart attack at the Ball State football game. His name was Mike Bott. His son Adam and I are the same age, and we live three doors down from each other in the same dorm at Ball State. Mike was visiting his son, and planned on attending the game with him. Here is what I said about Mike in a local forum I frequent:

This morning I woke up around 1:30 or 2:00. I was very interested in watching the Michigan vs. Ohio State game, but my roommate was still asleep, so I decided I'd give him another half hour or so.

I walked down our hallway to use the restroom, as I was walking back, I noticed Adam Bott had the game on in his room, so I decided to stop in and watch it for a little bit before I went back to my room.

Mike Bott was sitting in there watching the game with his son. They live right across the street from me in Warsaw, so I've known him for a long time. I had just woke up, and didn't have a shirt on or anything, so I just popped in, while watching a few plays had a brief conversation with him.

I asked him if he was just hanging out for the day or what? (small talk), he said yes, and I think mentioned that they were just relaxing, and were probably going to go to the BSU game out at the stadium. I said something along the lines of "oh cool, well have a good one, see ya later", and took off back to my room.

Now he's dead. It's really something else...I don't think I've ever known someone who died so soon after I interacted with them...not too sure what to say.

I first came to know him when he was one of the assitant coaches on my 7th grade football team. This was about the same time I moved in across the street from him, so he would make small talk with me during practices and stuff, 'cause he had taken note that my family was moving in across the street. Since I've lived there, he would pay me to feed his dog every Christmas break while they were on vacation, I've had countless amounts of conversations while I'm outside getting the paper or running or mowing, and he's out there too.

He was the kind of person that was very easy to respect. He commanded respect with his authoritative, yet respective tone. Always quick to ask you how you were doing.

I can remember one time during the Hale-Bopp comet phenomenon, he would be outside at night watching it (he's a scientist), and I would go out there 'cause I'm into that sky-stuff...anyway, he would teach me all about astronomy and stuff while we were out there. I probably spent over an hour over the course of the month that comet was out there, just shooting the shit with him about life. Every night he was out there just watching that beautiful thing streak across the sky. He appreciated the beauty in this world, and took the time to learn and teach others about it.

We'll miss ya Mike, thanks for letting us share a piece of your life with you.

-Cory Albertson

Throw vibes...this one hurts. He was a very admirable human being.

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[gulaz 1]

That really hurts man. Dealing with the death of anyone is difficult, but when it hits like that, and twice in a row, its even more difficult. The only advice I have, which has helped me in the past, is spend some time with other people who were close to the deceased, and talk to them about it. But just as important, is to spend a lot of time with other people, and try to keep living as normal as possible.

Hope all goes well for you

• Quote

[taln1rigr 0]

I'm so sorry Kramer ... I'm speechless ... but I can give you a {{{{BIG HUG}}}} & a

[Kramer 0]

Thanks guys...your picture made me smile taln. I can't tell you how much that meant to me at a time like this...I needed that.

You helped someone more than you'll ever know tonight, with a simple little gesture like that...

-Kramer

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[Lee03 0]

Prayers for you and for the family. Very sad

--------
To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities.

--Nevil Shute, Slide Rule

[taln1rigr 0]

Quote

Thanks guys...your picture made me smile taln. I can't tell you how much that meant to me at a time like this...I needed that.

You helped someone more than you'll ever know tonight, with a simple little gesture like that...

-Kramer

Thank-you ... You are so sweet & too kind. I don't know you ... except for the replies of yours I've read ... but just like anyone else here, I'd do anything for you. I'm sincerely touched it ment so much to you ... I'd give you a ma-nillion kisses just like that if it'd make you feel even the slightest bit better. And I'm positive there are others here who feel the same.
It takes a lot for a man to reach out for help during such a difficult & confusing time but know that I'm here for you & we're here for you ... your DZ family.
Keep your chin up ...


WHO LOVES YA BABE!?!?!?!?

[Kramer 0]

Damnit taln, don't be so sweet...now you made me cry after that last post!

I'll never cease to be amazed at the beautiful people involved in this sport. Here you are, someone I've never met, talked to, or anything else in my life...and you've completely made my night. I wish I could find words to say how much that means to me...but I can't, so you'll just have to pretend I did.

Never stop being as sweet as you are.

-Kramer

That ostrich really made me laugh...damn you!!

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[taln1rigr 0]

Don't cry ... I got plenty more where that came from ... I'm just overflowing with sweetness & funnies ... they don't call me "Morale Officer" at Skydive Santa Barbara for nothing

[Kramer 0]

Stttttttttoppppppp!!!!



I'm rolling around on the floor now.

I'm seriously sitting here grinning like a dummy from ear to ear.

I'll never forget my friend Mike. Thanks for helping his death seem like a celebration of life more than anything.

*sigh*...

-Kramer

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[taln1rigr 0]

OK, OK ... done for now. I'm just so glad I could put a smile on your face ... I'm certain Mike prefers it that way ... as do we.
Rest ... rest is what you need ... it soothes the soul, replenishes the mind & strengthens the body. Nothing will change while you sleep except for more power to deal with this tomorrow ... go, get some rest.

[Kramer 0]

Quote

Rest ... rest is what you need ... go, get some rest.

Okay, I'm going.

Does anyone know taln in real life, 'cause I think she's an angel. I'd like someone to check for me, 'cause Wyoming's really far away.

Night everyone...I learned something I didn't expect to learn tonight: Skydivers are the finest breed of people on this Earth.

-Kramer

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[SLOfreefall 0]

Does anyone know taln in real life, 'cause I think she's an angel***]

I do know the lovely taln in real life and she is all that and a bag of chips. Very sweet, angel ... I don't know

[taln1rigr 0]

Quote

sweet, angel ... I don't know

Yep, He knows me allright ... I'm sooo not an angel ... big hearted maybe but I'd never be able to keep that darn white robe clean ... hee, hee.
Thanks Dana {{{BIG SMOOCH ON THE CHEEK}}}

[fields 0]

Does anyone know taln in real life, 'cause I think she's an angel.

------------------

bwhaaaaaaa! yeah Dawn is an angel alright, but she was really naughty, so they took away her wings.

Actually, her good deeds are endless. We were sad to see her move to Wyoming.

As a packer she was considered an angel too. She took a lot of pride in her work and it showed.

I laugh thinking of her closing a tight sigma. She'd straddle it like a mechanical bull and declare "I'm gonna ride my bitch".

"And the sky is blue and righteous in every direction" Survivor Chuck Palahniuk

[Paige 0]

It's hard to
I have had a friend or two die every year since high school. Last year I had three. One of them was my little sister in my Pre-Law fraternity. She died in the OSU house fire in the early morning hours. That was really hard because I have so many pictures of her and had interacted with her before her death.

I found that leaning on friends and talking with people, as you have chosen to do here, can really help the healing process. My best wishes to you and the family. With time, things will find a way of working out.

Here are some quotes that may help:

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
-Albert Pike

"Conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret joy, for it means pushing back a boundary-line and adding to one's liberty."
-Henri Frédéric Amiel, The Private Journal of Henri Frédéric Amiel

"Every problem has a gift for you in its hands."
-Richard Bach

Tunnel Pink Mafia Delegate
www.TunnelPinkMafia.com

[Nightingale 0]

(((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{VIBES}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[flygirl03 0]

((((HUGS))))) Cory.
Life is sometimes So hard to understand.
Cherish the memories you have... Be there for Adam.
And LIVE your life to the Fullest!!

more ((((HUGS)))))

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
earthbound misfit

[JackR 0]

She's an angel. She'll try to tell you otherwise and lead you along with misdirection, but when you get to know her, she's an angel.

Skydivers have been dealing with the death of their friends for a long time. Thanks for sharing. We're all here for you. We mourn, but then that plane has to fly again. You can be on it or you can stay on the ground. It isn't that we don't respect the memories of our friends, but that we know they lived to the end and we must follow their lead.

Skydiving is a small world. Maybe soon you'll get to meet taln. She'll steal your heart. I'm looking forward to the day when I get to visit with her at the DZ again.

Jack

Packin' Jack
42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving
25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009
2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm