Another Sad Goodbye

This morning I received the news that a friend of mine passed away. To say I was shocked and deeply saddened by the news would be a gross understatement. I was stunned. Brian was a former neighbor of mine. He was incredibly gifted when it came to growing plants... inside and outside. If he touched it, it grew. Brian also enjoyed going to auctions. His house was furnished with antiques he had bought at various auctions. He loved sharing his hobbies and interests with others.

A year or so ago, I saw Brian and noticed he had lost a lot of weight. He was jaundiced and told me he had been quite sick. The illness had caused extensive liver damage and he was on a waiting list for a new one. The last time I saw him I didn't even recognize him. He was so thin, and even though the jaundice wasn't as apparent, you could tell he was getting worse. I gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. That was the last time I saw him... or spoke to him.

Here is the part that has me the most upset. I promised Brian that I would stop in to visit with him. I never did. I thought of him more times than I care to admit, but I kept putting off going to see him. I used one excuse after another... I have been so busy that I kept telling myself that I'd get around to seeing Brian another day. Unfortunately, that day will never come. I blew it. I broke my promise to a kind, sweet, and giving, man. There wasn't anything he wouldn't have done for a person. The world had lost another "keeper."

As 2013 comes to a close, I am making a resolution for the new year. I will absolutely take the time to do more of the "important" things in life. I will cherish people more. And it goes without saying that I will do everything in my power to keep the promises I make. I remember in my patriarchal blessing there was the admonition to "promise cautiously and perform courageously." I seem to have forgotten that. I truly hope I don't ever forget it again.

YORK Brian Joseph Yohe, 47, died on Monday, December 30, 2013, at Hospice & Community Care in Mt. Joy. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, with his pastor, the Rev. Paul CB Schenk officiating. Viewings will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to10 a.m. on Friday, both at the funeral home. Born on November 15, 1966 in Hanover, he was a son of Robert D. and JoAnn L. (Meckley) Yohe. Brian was a 1985 graduate of Spring Grove High School. He worked for many years at the Children's Developmental Center in Abbottstown and later worked at Osram Sylvania, Inc. for over 10 years. Mr. Yohe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Grove. Brian loved to travel and take road trips. He also enjoyed horticulture, flowers, playing bingo and everything about Christmas, especially collecting vintage Christmas balls. Mr. Yohe is survived by one brother, Travis Michael Yohe and his wife, Stacey of Spring Grove; two sisters, Wendy M. Harbaugh of East Berlin and Tanya A. Yohe of York; and four nieces and nephews, Maddie and Adam Harbaugh and Alijah and Trevor Yohe. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 4075 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy, PA 17552; or the York County Community Foundation, 14 W. Market St., York, PA 17401; or at YCCF.org in Brian's memory. Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/york/obituary.aspx?n=brian-joseph-yohe&pid=168833608&fhid=28191#sthash.WLAiXQW3.dpuf

YORK Brian Joseph Yohe, 47, died on Monday, December 30, 2013, at Hospice & Community Care in Mt. Joy. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, with his pastor, the Rev. Paul CB Schenk officiating. Viewings will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to10 a.m. on Friday, both at the funeral home. Born on November 15, 1966 in Hanover, he was a son of Robert D. and JoAnn L. (Meckley) Yohe. Brian was a 1985 graduate of Spring Grove High School. He worked for many years at the Children's Developmental Center in Abbottstown and later worked at Osram Sylvania, Inc. for over 10 years. Mr. Yohe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Grove. Brian loved to travel and take road trips. He also enjoyed horticulture, flowers, playing bingo and everything about Christmas, especially collecting vintage Christmas balls. Mr. Yohe is survived by one brother, Travis Michael Yohe and his wife, Stacey of Spring Grove; two sisters, Wendy M. Harbaugh of East Berlin and Tanya A. Yohe of York; and four nieces and nephews, Maddie and Adam Harbaugh and Alijah and Trevor Yohe. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 4075 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy, PA 17552; or the York County Community Foundation, 14 W. Market St., York, PA 17401; or at YCCF.org in Brian's memory. Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com

Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Dec. 31, 2013

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- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/york/obituary.aspx?n=brian-joseph-yohe&pid=168833608&fhid=28191#sthash.WLAiXQW3.dpuf

YORK Brian Joseph Yohe, 47, died on Monday, December 30, 2013, at Hospice & Community Care in Mt. Joy. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, with his pastor, the Rev. Paul CB Schenk officiating. Viewings will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to10 a.m. on Friday, both at the funeral home. Born on November 15, 1966 in Hanover, he was a son of Robert D. and JoAnn L. (Meckley) Yohe. Brian was a 1985 graduate of Spring Grove High School. He worked for many years at the Children's Developmental Center in Abbottstown and later worked at Osram Sylvania, Inc. for over 10 years. Mr. Yohe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Grove. Brian loved to travel and take road trips. He also enjoyed horticulture, flowers, playing bingo and everything about Christmas, especially collecting vintage Christmas balls. Mr. Yohe is survived by one brother, Travis Michael Yohe and his wife, Stacey of Spring Grove; two sisters, Wendy M. Harbaugh of East Berlin and Tanya A. Yohe of York; and four nieces and nephews, Maddie and Adam Harbaugh and Alijah and Trevor Yohe. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 4075 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy, PA 17552; or the York County Community Foundation, 14 W. Market St., York, PA 17401; or at YCCF.org in Brian's memory. Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com

Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Dec. 31, 2013

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- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/york/obituary.aspx?n=brian-joseph-yohe&pid=168833608&fhid=28191#sthash.WLAiXQW3.dpuf

YORK Brian Joseph Yohe, 47, died on Monday, December 30, 2013, at Hospice & Community Care in Mt. Joy. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, with his pastor, the Rev. Paul CB Schenk officiating. Viewings will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to10 a.m. on Friday, both at the funeral home. Born on November 15, 1966 in Hanover, he was a son of Robert D. and JoAnn L. (Meckley) Yohe. Brian was a 1985 graduate of Spring Grove High School. He worked for many years at the Children's Developmental Center in Abbottstown and later worked at Osram Sylvania, Inc. for over 10 years. Mr. Yohe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Grove. Brian loved to travel and take road trips. He also enjoyed horticulture, flowers, playing bingo and everything about Christmas, especially collecting vintage Christmas balls. Mr. Yohe is survived by one brother, Travis Michael Yohe and his wife, Stacey of Spring Grove; two sisters, Wendy M. Harbaugh of East Berlin and Tanya A. Yohe of York; and four nieces and nephews, Maddie and Adam Harbaugh and Alijah and Trevor Yohe. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 4075 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy, PA 17552; or the York County Community Foundation, 14 W. Market St., York, PA 17401; or at YCCF.org in Brian's memory. Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com

Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Dec. 31, 2013

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- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/york/obituary.aspx?n=brian-joseph-yohe&pid=168833608&fhid=28191#sthash.WLAiXQW3.dpuf

YORK Brian Joseph Yohe, 47, died on Monday, December 30, 2013, at Hospice & Community Care in Mt. Joy. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, with his pastor, the Rev. Paul CB Schenk officiating. Viewings will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to10 a.m. on Friday, both at the funeral home. Born on November 15, 1966 in Hanover, he was a son of Robert D. and JoAnn L. (Meckley) Yohe. Brian was a 1985 graduate of Spring Grove High School. He worked for many years at the Children's Developmental Center in Abbottstown and later worked at Osram Sylvania, Inc. for over 10 years. Mr. Yohe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Grove. Brian loved to travel and take road trips. He also enjoyed horticulture, flowers, playing bingo and everything about Christmas, especially collecting vintage Christmas balls. Mr. Yohe is survived by one brother, Travis Michael Yohe and his wife, Stacey of Spring Grove; two sisters, Wendy M. Harbaugh of East Berlin and Tanya A. Yohe of York; and four nieces and nephews, Maddie and Adam Harbaugh and Alijah and Trevor Yohe. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 4075 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy, PA 17552; or the York County Community Foundation, 14 W. Market St., York, PA 17401; or at YCCF.org in Brian's memory. Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com

Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Dec. 31, 2013

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- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/york/obituary.aspx?n=brian-joseph-yohe&pid=168833608&fhid=2819

YORK Brian Joseph Yohe, 47, died on Monday, December 30, 2013, at Hospice & Community Care in Mt. Joy. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, with his pastor, the Rev. Paul CB Schenk officiating. Viewings will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 to10 a.m. on Friday, both at the funeral home. Born on November 15, 1966 in Hanover, he was a son of Robert D. and JoAnn L. (Meckley) Yohe. Brian was a 1985 graduate of Spring Grove High School. He worked for many years at the Children's Developmental Center in Abbottstown and later worked at Osram Sylvania, Inc. for over 10 years. Mr. Yohe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Grove. Brian loved to travel and take road trips. He also enjoyed horticulture, flowers, playing bingo and everything about Christmas, especially collecting vintage Christmas balls. Mr. Yohe is survived by one brother, Travis Michael Yohe and his wife, Stacey of Spring Grove; two sisters, Wendy M. Harbaugh of East Berlin and Tanya A. Yohe of York; and four nieces and nephews, Maddie and Adam Harbaugh and Alijah and Trevor Yohe. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 4075 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy, PA 17552; or the York County Community Foundation, 14 W. Market St., York, PA 17401; or at YCCF.org in Brian's memory. Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com

Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Dec. 31, 2013

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Good Grief!!!

I was looking at my blog a few days ago... and once again I was feeling guilty. After doing so well with my blogging, I seem to have had nearly two years of super bad entries. I'm not sure why that is the case, with the exception of how extremely busy my life has become. And frankly there are some painful events that have happened in the last year and a half that I'd much rather forget. I suppose that's more of the reason than perhaps any other. Some days it's easier to "pretend" that life is moving along as happy as can be, when the reality is much different. That said, I will say that I'm still in a very uncertain stage of my life.

In addition to some of the personal demons I'm facing, I'm also deeply troubled by the state of the world I find myself living in. Whether it is the political strife in our nation, the state of the economy, the rising crime in my own neighborhood, or the general feeling of a looming crisis, I'm finding it more and more difficult to put on my "happy face." Surely I'm not the only person feeling this. At least I hope that's not the case.

All that said, I am still grateful for all the amazing blessings I have in my life. I have gainful employment, my home, food on the table, and two incredibly wonderful daughters. And even though some of the relationships have changed, I know there are people out there who care about me. So, with that knowledge, why do I find myself feeling the way I do? There are some obvious answers... which for now I cannot address. But there is also something more... something deeper that I am struggling with. Life certainly isn't easy, is it?

I feel like I'm rambling... and perhaps I am. It's just an example of the disconnect and turmoil I feel. For now it is all that I am willing to share. Maybe more will be shared at another point. Maybe not. I truly don't know. I do know that I am struggling.... Of that I am sure.