Dear Friends,

Even for someone like me that is seldom lost for words, there come a time when sobs are easier to come out than words. Never even dreamed that the source for the gloom and sorrow I heard in Bills incomprehensible mumbled words Sunday afternoon when I called him on my way back from the airport back from a two days trip from Denver. I had to ask several times to repeat him for me to understand the source of that terrible chocking grief "the death of Braden". My only words to him "Be strong!" and I suddenly hung up as I was overtaken by sadness and tears. This was not just a soldier in Iraq, a friend’s son, a great kid from the neighborhood or a friend of my kids; this was Braden the kid that the first time came into my house in the late 80’s did not even walk yet. Life though sometimes can be quite hard and not yet all pleasant. I know that the wound in Bill’s life will never heal, I just hope to be able to help him and hopefully me my family the other employees and the countless number of appreciative customers will make it less painful. As for me personally I like to think of Braden in the role of “Barista” the job I feel he enjoyed during the many shows we did at World Trade Center, Market Hall, and Flower mart in Dallas.