RIP Big Daddi Addi

It has been a whirlwind these past few weeks. Getting back into the groove at work after vacation is never fun...and whats worse - I had to work on the 4th of July! I remember back in HS when I would volunteer myself for a day shift because we got paid time and 1/2 to work holidays. Not so much with a salaried professional career... Such is the life of a Marketing professional, I ought to be used to it by now! So at 7am I was in the parking lot of The Woodlands United Methodist Church decorating a trackless vintage train which was to serve as the Sadler Clinic float in the annual 4th of July Parade for Montgomery County held in The Woodlands, TX. The parade route was only 1.5 miles long or something but with over 350 floats...it took us until past 12noon to finish! Did I mention it was 110 degrees? Good times! Over 20,000 people showed up to watch the procession. It was packed (crazy fools - I would sooo have been in the A/C or a cold pool if I had a choice).

Anyhow, after the parade Matt and I (yes Matt, my loving husband got up and went with me to the parade)headed home to shower and rest for the rest of the days festivities. While napping I got a call from my brother, Matt. He said three words. "jill, addison's dead" That's all. And then he cried and we sat in silence. Through tears on both ends we talked it out. How, why, and what now. Addison has been a family friend for around 13 years and my brother's very best friend through the last ten years. He and my father were also extremely close. My family was devastated by the loss. Addison was very much an extension of our family and in so many ways a brother to my brother. We loved him very much and will miss him down here but we rejoice in his homecoming with the Lord. His funeral was held on July 8th at Stewart's Family Funeral Home. My father served as officiator for the service and my brother as a pallbearer. The room was flooded by family and friends of Addison's - a true reflection of his good heart and spirit. Please lift the Taliaferro's up in your prayers, Addison is survived by his parents Mike and Suzonne, his sister Raley, and his 5 year old daughter Kyndel.