A week ago today a friend of mine, Drew Newell, was killed by a drunk driver. He and his family were on their way home from Thanksgiving in South Carolina when they were rear-ended. His mom and sister survived and but his father is in critical condition... the family blog is the Newell Report on the left side of this page.
Drew and I worked together at LoneStar. He was one of those people who always had a smile on their face... he lit up the room. He lived life to the fullest and was all around a great guy... This world needs more people like Drew, not fewer... he will certainly be missed.
Below is a posting from his best friend... it sums up true friendship and gives some insight in to the kind of guy that Drew was... I can only hope to have this kind of impact on another person and leave the world better than I found it... Thankfully we have another angel in Heaven watching over us now...
Dear Drew
By: Brian Mayfield
Drew,You were truly the best friend that I could have ever asked for. You were my go-to guy, my homie... my dawg, as we always said. It seems like all of my awesome memories from the past few years have you right there beside me in every one. We were the "Boone Boys", those rednecks in Colorado that always wore our Panthers jerseys while we snowboarded. Number 89 on me, number 90 on you...we rocked those out every Sunday, that was sick. They are both hanging up in my room now, right above the football that we used to throw almost everyday. It's really cool to look at the football, one the right side, all of the leather is missing from my right hand where my thumb gripped, and on the other side, your left hand is clearly worn through, too. I'm so glad that we hung on to that thing, it will always be a reminder to me of all the incredible times we had together. You were always down for whatever crazy plan I had, whether it be Wilmington, Costa Rica, Colorado, or the Spring Break trip we were supposed to take together this March. Thank you so much for being there with me for all of the adventures, the ups(camping on the beach in Costa) and the downs(camping on Buffalo Pass when it was snowing in August). You were always the voice of reason when we were doing something crazy, always keeping us in check. I always felt a huge responsibility to take care of you since I was the older one, but we all knew that it was really you watching out for me. I know that you will continue to watch after me and be that voice in the back of my head when I reach a fork in the road. Life goes on, but it will never be the same without you. I love you so much, and I'm just so grateful that we had a close enough friendship to be able to tell each other that while you were still here with me. I have no regrets, I know that you knew I loved you like a brother and I will never stop. Can't wait to see you on the other side...
Pura Vida,-Lunchbox
