03/08/2026
Hug your friends, family, animals as often as you can…you never know what life will throw your way.
Last Friday, February 27th I was making an effort to shred our pasture with hopes and dreams of building a nice nature preserve focusing on constructive dog activity and a place for clients and the community to come engage with their dogs through nature trails and dog specific obstacles, activities, and secure areas for people to let their dogs off leash to stretch their legs and have fun with their dogs instead of the same old boring walk around the neighborhood to just “check the box”.
Well, God had a different agenda that day for whatever reason. While shredding the pasture, my tractor caught fire sending the pasture blazing as well. Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire department responded along with numerous other emergency personnel to try to control and extinguish the fire. Unfortunately, one of those volunteer firefighters, Jeff Derrick, passed away while battling the fast moving flames. I hate that it happened, I hate that Firefighter Derrick lost his life that day, and I hate that his family, friends, and community are mourning this loss. As we all grieve and battle this hate toward the dreadful situation we are faced with, I have to remember to trust that God has a plan, I just wish I knew what it was and why. For whatever reason, God put Jeff Derrick in my life, a man I am only now meeting and learning about since his passing. I couldn’t forget him now if I tried, and I will always think of him as I live in gratitude of what God has given to me.
We all have to keep fighting evil, keep pushing towards the light at the end of the tunnel, extinguish the hate and discontent with life’s challenges and instead ignite passion and COMpassion. I hope I can add meaning to Jeff’s death in whatever God’s plans are.
All gave some, and some gave all.