Colin M

6/21/16 Today search and rescue found Colin Murphy. Early Sunday morning he was swimming, jumping off the Lehigh bridge during Lehigh River Days and drowned. Colin Murphy was 23, young, kind, happy, and full of life. He had the biggest smile that was full of joy. I never saw the guy unhappy. Mark and I first met Colin riding his horse at a Ranch rodeo and team penning. He had a horse and gave it a try. He really enjoyed talking to Mark. Over the years if he saw us he made sure to go out of his way to say hi and asked how everything is going. He would see us down at the arena and pull in just to visit. If it was just me he would ask how the old man was doing. He joined the Dayton police crew and it was hard to take him serious when we would see him in full uniform and driving a cop car. The first time he drove up to us in a cop car and we saw him get out, it was kind of comical. He was too full of smiles, too kind to be a tough cop. My boys eyes were wide in awe and in fear of this guy in uniform. They were amazed that we knew a cop personally. Luke remembers Colin coming to his school to share about the fire department and police department. He really liked kids. Colin had a contagious smile and always looked happy. He ran with some different groups and seemed like he was always trying to fit in. He liked to party and drink. A few weeks ago Colin stopped in at Michelle’s when she was showing me how to make Rye bread. Colin had lost weight and no longer had glasses. He looked so different and a handsome guy. We joked with him about grinding wheat to use in our bread and how we worked so hard at it. He believed us and was so super excited about getting a loaf of his own. He was going to take it and share with his father. He lost his mother at a young age from cancer. Colin will be remembered in our community. The boys took it hard even though they did not know him all that much. There were tears of sadness and anger. I think he made an impact on so many. I know our family will not forget Colin.

My heart is heavy this week with the loss of Colin and the struggles of so many. Terje and Tim are still fighting for their lives and suffering in their recovery. Two neighbors have cancer, both live 5 minutes away. Larry S, who is the great-grandfather of those that were lost in the fire earlier this year. The Sorensons have had a very rough year. Larry is going through Chemo right now and is very sick. His prognosis does not look good. Rob S. who adopted 6 kids several years ago just celebrated two of his kids graduations. He also has two young children who are family ages 2 and 4 that are living with them and may end up raising them. A week after graduation and taking in these kids he was diagnosed with cancer and has 15 tumors in his body. I have been in prayer much this week.
I know good has a plan and his plan is good, so I will trust in him. 
Below is a picture of Colin that I took off of facebook that reminds me of how I saw Colin. He had the biggest personality, so full of joy.