off topic but please hug your children and tell them you love them today

[4mickey2]

and another thing.... it isn't ok for an 18 yr old to be out at 3 am. but, hey, they can go over seas to iraq and get shot at to protect us. i don't see the problem with it.

 

[BRDof3]

Dan,

I should have told you in advance not to read the web site comments, it's too easy to be snarky and mean. Maybe Jeff made a mistake, but it doesn't matter at this point. You need to find peace for you and your family, don't waste energy on people who want only to rub salt in the wound.

There will be people who make themselves feel better by pointing out the "wrongness" of everyone else. That sense of superiority says far more about them than it could ever say about you or your son.

Good people make mistakes. All of them. The honest ones will admit it. The ones who sneer at your mistakes, while admitting none of their own, are not even worthy of your scorn. They certainly don't merit your attention. Your family needs to heal. Let the slimeballs float in their own pool.

And come here to vent as often, and for as long, as you need. We're right here waiting for you.

 

[sjs314]

Anyone who would post something so insensitive in a public forum knowing how much the parents and friends are grieving their loss are just showing their ignorance......don't let their comments bother you at all, what happened was not your fault.

 

[VACAMPER]

Dan, people that insensitive will one day pay for their ignorance. You're a great dad. We have all listened to you brag and brag on your kids in chat. The love you have for them is so apparent and has always been. Never doubt the job you've done as a father, you're awesome.



I'm ready to go all AMEANDA on them, just say the word.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Just to give you an update, I passed by the vigil being held by Jeff's friends down the street from Dan's house. There were cars everywhere. It was more than I could stand really. I dropped off some food and stayed for a very short visit. Please pray for Dan and his absolutely wonderful family. Jeff was such a sweet kid and there is nothing more terrible that could have happened to this wonderful family.

Dan told me to let all of you know that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Brevard County Humane Society. Jeff was very fond of saving as many animals as he could from there and spent a great deal of time and energy with the animals. I know that the animals he has saved will miss him terribly.

 

[stacktester]

I've met Dan and his family NYE 2008. Dan is a very nice person as is his wife. If Dan is guilty of being a wrong parent then get my *** a ride to his house to be next to him. You just don't meet people as genuine as Dan and his wife.

My heart goes out to Dan. I know we could all ban together and the pain his family is experiencing could never be lifted.

You can count on me dan if you need your back covered.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

It makes my blood boil to hear about comments made anonymously, judging someone they've never met about a situation they know nothing about. A friend's 18yo son died two years ago, driving too fast down a twisty mountain road. A deer jumped out and he veered into a tree. She heard the same nastiness in anonymous forums.

All I can say is -- if you're an adult now, you were a teen once. And I can think back to far too many times when my sister, friends and I made really stupid decisions because we were just being teens. Decisions that could have really ended badly, but our guardian angels were working overtime those days. We've ALL had close calls. And any one of us could easily lose the roll of the dice on any given day. Dan, ignore those fools on the forums. They're just passing judgment to feel righteous about their sorry selves.

Still praying for your family.

 

[disney4dan]

Dan, sorry to hear that there have been some negative things said in the local paper; glad to hear you can let us know about how difficult this is. Hearing that your son was working with the local animal shelter warms my heart, I know you were raising a good son even though I never met you or your family.

For those on the local newspaper adding their negative comments, my first reaction to the story was to think he may have fallen asleep. Having been on the road at that time of the morning myself, as a teenager and an adult, fatigue can hit with little to no warning. Trying to make early appointments for work I have sometimes decided to stay home and get an early start rather than get a hotel locally the night before and it can be difficult to drive at that time of day.

Anyway, that is unimportant now, and I really hope that I can offer something worthwhile. Keep friends and family close for now Dan; there are difficult and dark days to get through and they/we are here for you.

 

[RNmomnFL]

Still thinking of you and your family Dan. There but for the grace of God, go I.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Dan, you have come to the right place for support. The fiends have been there for each other through loss of employment, illness, birth, the passing of parents and the crumbling of marriages. Don't think we're going to go soft now! Through thick and thin....You've got us! Even if words seem to fall short, and many are too far away to hug you in person; know that we are all around you in spirit...praying, holding your hand, whispering in your ear to let it slide off your shoulders when a judgmental son-of-gun throws uneducated venom at you.

We are all suffering with you through this. Holding our kids a little tighter, aching for you. I hope you find solace knowing that Jeff is in heaven. He must have been a wonderful kid for God to have wanted him back so soon.

I'm going to be lifting you up in prayer all day everyday this week to get you through this.

 

[des1954]

Dan - Your son - an honor student - a bright star - someone who was looked up to and loved by many. He didn't just "happen" to be that way. His parents molded him with love and guidance to become that young man.

I read the article - and a lot of it was supposition on the part of the reporter. A lot of "what if's" and "maybe's". In other words - a lot of trumped up crap to sell a newspaper. They could have just as easily said... "for unknown reasons..." When you read articles that were purposely crafted to besmirch a young person's character - it's easy for the reader to assume the worst. Don't buy into it, Dan. Your friends, family, and people who know you, know what fine, loving parents you are. Jeff would not have been as good a kid as he was if you weren't great, loving parents.

We are all here for you and your family, Dan. If you wish to use this forum to vent your anger, share stories of Jeff, or just reflect on Jeff's life - we'll all be here to help you through.

How come the article didn't interject that perhaps Jeff was swerving to avoid hitting an animal? Why did the reporter have to jump on to the assumption that something was amiss? Some news reporters are the pond scum of the human race, Dan. Remember that.

 

[Boomer1]

Dan and family,

As a mother off three I can not begin to imagine your pain. Please accept our thoughts and expressions of sympathy and know you are in our prayers.

As for the bottom-feeders of our society that choose to use the tragedy of others for financial gain ... better left unsaid.

Krista

 

[LORNADUCK]

Dan, I am not very good with getting my thoughts down on paper. But as hard as I know it is, you have to ignore what people say, (I am sure that you have been told this) people love to feed on anothers misfortune. You know that you are a good Dad and good family and you and your wife like non other knew your Son. I will keep you in my prayers and wish for you that it somehow gets easier. Please call on me and us for anything that you might need. I was hoping to get over there, but I don't know if we can make it.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Having been involved, on scene of a number of events that made the papers and news, I can say with conviction that you will not read or see an accurate concise story of the FACTS. Often we will read the paper the next mornign at work and ask ourselves if this was the same incident we were at due to the poor reporting.
People that attack others like this in their time of sorrow are the scum of the earth and all you can do is ignore them.

 

[4mickey2]

we are all here for you, dan. stop by anytime and chat with us. we're praying for you.

 

[We4mickey]

You have done a wonderful job raising your son. He exemplifies everything that parents want for the children. An honor student, a caring person someone who has heart. Not all parents can say that about their "it's all about me" kids. Don't listen to what people who have no identity other than a keyboard and nothing else to do have to say about him or you. We have your back and are here to support you in any way we can.

 

[ram101]

Dan,

I am very sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my thoughts.
It seems as though life sometimes is just not fair, I see it all the time. Please consider staying away from the news for a week or two. You will not get the true story of what happened there anyway and most people are just jerks and inconsiderate.
Take care of yourself and the rest of your family and you will get through this!

 

[Happy Mom2]

May God be with you and your family. I can't imagine what you are going through. No parent should have to lose a child.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Any 18 year old kid has a legal right to be out at anytime of night they please.....and a parent actually DOESNT have a legal right to stop them. Dan.....what you are suffering is WRONG....the pain of losing a child cant be eased by anything but time...and, I would imagine, LOTS OF IT.....and you should not be subject to the blithering idiots who have NOTHING BETTER TO DO than see if they can be controversial on a webpage! Dan PLEASE dont even come CLOSE to letting their ignorance seep into your world.

I raised my kids with strict rules, I was never a "grey area" type of parent. Things were either right or wrong...and my kids are good people...but that did NOT stop my oldest from BEING a TYPICAL 18 year old. They do stupid things at that age, its human nature...its curiosity....its dangerous...its GROWING UP. How the hell do those people look themselves in the mirror after kicking someone when they are sooo far down!!! It absolutely sickens me.....gut wrenching low lifes. Im furious.

Dan...you do your grieving.....and do it without guilt. Dont you dare let these imbeciles get under your skin.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

So sorry for your loss. Please accept our most sincere condolences.