I honestly can’t believe it is one year ago today, at 12:16pm Phoenix time, you left this earth for the stars.
I remember sending you a text exactly at that time, only one hour ahead of your death from Dallas, telling you: “Love you… Skate safe…do you think the Vikes have it in them?”
As I hit send, I remember sitting at the gate, getting ready to get on the plane to eat my La Madeleine tomato soup before boarding our flight for Hartford, CT. I thought, that was dumb of me, you’re on the ice right now and won’t even get this text to be able to respond. Little would I know that within 20 minutes of that time, at 11:40, you would stop the game due to a leg cramp and your fate would be sealed. You never did get that text, and you never did respond.
Still today, I ask God why you needed to go in the prime of your life? Yet when I hear about all of the tragedies of the world everyday, car crashes, drownings, shootings, drug overdoses, deaths from natural disasters, and on and on, I think to myself – why would I be immune exclusively to the loss of you or any loved one, for that matter? Still, as we hear about death its always someone else’s story until it’s not! Now, as I reflect over the past year I’m happy to report that your fish, both saltwater and fresh are still swimming on. The bird and cat miss your nighttime snuggles. The dogs…well…let’s just say they are my guardians, they’re holding their own for now and have been a major part of getting me through each night without you, safe and sound while I sleep in peace to dream of you.
I can’t even imagine what we would all do if you would just walk through the door once more! If only …
Through all of these days, life has lost so much joy as I miss you more every day. I feel it truly is about survival now. I laugh at times and keep smiling, only because of all the planet’s people – friends and family and animals placed along my path to guide me through. You would truly be amazed at all the love and support that literally falls from heaven on a daily basis! And in keeping your life’s message alive, you might be surprised how much we all love and miss you so very much! Did you know!?
I’m now an advocate for blood clots. I’m also in the final stage of registry for your inspired trademark to #MakeYourDashCount, reminding all of us to live that dash in life to the fullest between our birth and death date.
Science Care has just planted a tree in the San Juan National Forest in southwest Colorado as a monument to you in honor and memory of your gift of life and your body after death.
The Arizona Referee Hockey Association has presented you with the Dean Blixt Memorial Award to be given to a different outstanding Referee each year to follow in your steps and have been wearing DB stickers on helmets. The Association even put your jersey on the dasher board at the arena where you skated that final day.
I am still working on different donations from your Dean’s Dash Go Fund Me, and even Mike Aubart, your sister’s brother in law has written a beautiful song inspired by the memory of your life and death.
As people keep telling me, “you’re getting through, you’ll be OK”, in the end I believe it to be true, only because I know you are in God’s hands and with each passing day, I’m one step closer to being in that place with both of you, too!
Thank you for all the continued messages and signs. I honestly believe deep in my heart and soul that all is well with yours, my sweetest Angel. ❤