Almost a year ago, on March 11th 2009, my family and I (along with many, many friends) lost Nate Mansfield.
At 27, he died of what the Kansas City coroner determined on their toxicological report to be an "adverse drug reaction". He was taking two prescription drugs that reacted against each other and our precious and at times, difficult son, Nathan Dennis Mansfield, died in his sleep.
Precious and difficult. Yes. Why such apparently discordant adjectives?
Because Nate was a complex man. And yet a simply lovable man at the same time. I suppose we could all be described with such terms that seem at odds against themselves.
If we were honest with ourselves, we would.
And Nate, despite his years of substance abuse and hard times, was an amazing man, a tender heart, a believer in Jesus and a supporter of those who were weak and unlovely to the outside world.
He talked of God when he was high and saved druggie-buddies' lives on treacherous snowboard non-trails. He loved his dogs and he loved his Ginny. He loved so many people.
Two people in whom he placed years of love and good relationship were Mark Smit and Andre Alfonso.
As we all wind-down our year of grieving Nate's death, I wanted you te hear the words of his two friends, one last time.
They loved their friend, Nate Mansfield.
Den
Nate Mansfield memorial: Mark and Andre speak from Colin Mansfield on Vimeo.
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