My little brother is dead…

I was at Bobby’s grandparents’ house for dinner yesterday when my cell phone rang. It was my older brother Will. He asked where I was and if I was with Bobby, then he asked if I was sitting down. My heart dropped. It took several calls back and forth and a little bit of time to get the information I have so far…
 
My 23 year-old stepbrother Ryan was with his girlfriend Jenna at Dale Hollow State Park on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. Apparently there is a popular 50-foot cliff where people often jump into the water below. Jenna said Ryan jumped into the water and did about three flips before hitting the water. She believes he must have hit his head on his knees when he hit the water, knocking himself unconscious because he never resurfaced.
 
The sheriff searched for him last night and this morning. Early this afternoon they recovered his body and my parents were asked to go to Nashville to identify him. I feel so helpless right now. It just doesn’t seem real. My little brother can’t be dead. I just danced with him at my wedding four weeks ago. He told me I was  beautiful and that he was so happy for me. I saw him at Wal-Mart the weekend after the weekend and I was in such a hurry I just waved at him and said hi. I didn’t stop to talk. Then later he must have recognized the Forester because he drove up next to me and honked and waved wildly. I just kind of waved at him thinking he was just being my dorky little brother. I didn’t know that would be the last time I’d see him alive.

My little brother is dead.