One of my very favorite friends and people in the world, Melinda (better known as “Minda”) is getting her degree at Bowling Green State University in College Studies Personnel. Her assistantship has her as the house-mom for a fraternity on campus. She has lived her past year as the caretaker and advisor for the men of Lambda Chi Alpha and it seems that they have been very respectful and kind to her. She seems to have found a good group of men who generally care of her as one of their own.

Unfortunately, one of their own has been hurt and I am so saddened by the story and the pain that Minda and these men have to go through, that I felt the need to post. This past weekend, on a trip to visit family for Easter, the chapter President was in a horrible car accident and has been in a coma for the past couple of days. The situation is not look good and Minda believes that within the next couple of days this normal 21 year old college kid will pass away. These men have experienced most of their college life with each other. Say what you want about Fraternity boys, but I have known some very upstanding Fraternity men in my life and from the sounds of it, Minda is dealing with a wonderful house. These guys pledge together, eat together, party together, study together and live together the very idea of a Greek house is that you become family. The chapter President at the head of that family is usually a very popular person that the members respect and admire. At the age of 18 to 22 they will have to say goodbye to one of their loved ones. And that is often unfathomable.

This experience reminds me of my own in college. Two good friends from high school going to Marquette killed in a car accident, another badly injured. Lauren and I got the call on the Friday morning of Homecoming. We went about the weekend and then had to return home for 2 wakes and 2 funerals in 3 days, our friends and family from high school and college surrounding each other, shocked by the loss in our communities and the nightmare that the families had to endure.

I am sure that Minda is doing a wonderful job with the house and the men within. I know that she is strong, caring and smart and will make sure that they come through this on the other end. They are lucky to have her and each other there.

As you go about your day today, I ask you to keep in your thoughts my dear friend Melinda and the men of Lambda Chi Alpha as it looks like they will have to endure the loss of classmate, friend and brother.