Cold….Wet….Lost…..

A few years back I wrote about my neighbor.  He had a heart attack on the starting line of a drag race he was participating in.  The lack of oxygen to his brain caused brain damage.  He basically has the mental capacity of a 9 year old.  This was a few months (actually my dads birthday) before my dads stroke.  I remember how upset we all were, how sad it was that something so tragic happened to such a good person……….and then my dad had his stroke.  Well, Dennis was a bit different than my dad, he has been living at home by himself for the past 2 years or so.  His daughter lives a few houses down and checks in on him.  So, he is capable of pretty much taking care of himself and his basic needs, unlike my dad who is paralyzed and depends on people.  Anyways, the past week or 2 I have had a few encounters with him, he wanted me to help him find his phone, help him plug in his charger etc etc.  Things I dont mind doing.  He is constantly walking the streets of our neighborhood.  The other day I was out riding my bike (kids in the tandem trailer) when we passed him, he said he was getting a little better every day and just getting some exercise.  Of course, every day he says hes getting a little better.  But anyways, 2 days ago my sister went to help him find his phone.  She came back and told me that the house was gross inside.  In that moment I thought to myself "maybe I should alert someone, at least to come check in on him more frequently or something." Not trying to say his daughter isnt doing it enough, I see her there all the time. Its just a feeling I had.  I should ALWAYS listen to my gut.  I have found that out the hard way numerous times and maybe one day I will actually do that.  Anyways, as of yesterday he went out on one of his walks and ended up lost in the woods.  The search has been on going for nearly 24 hours.  Luckily he had his phone on him and was able to alert people that he was missing.  They have traced his phone up until the point of it going dead, but have had no luck.  They have dogs out there and numerous people looking for him.  It has been raining almost all day, and more is coming.  Not to mention the temps have dropped to the 40s, a cold front blew in yesterday around the time he went missing.  The last time they talked to him he had gone through a lot of water and had fallen into some water, so he was wet before the rain came, and he was scared.  Spent the night wet and cold.  If he is still alive out there, he has got to be near death.  It pains me to say that.  I have been stuck at home all day watching the media updates and hoping for some good news.  My sister is also keeping me updated.  I feel so helpless, I want to be out there doing something, even if I just give the search team an extra pair of eyes.  I dont want to be sitting back doing nothing.  I have lived next door to this man for about 15 years.  I have a lot of great memories with him.  My heart is so heavy right now.  Im really hoping he found himself a little hole or something to crawl into to keep warm and semi dry.  Im praying……….please, pray with me.

These pictures were taken at his daughters wedding…….after his accident, about 2 years ago.

Hang in there Dennis!!  WE WILL FIND YOU!!