I know it is February already!! We have had a lot of activity this year and while I haven’t posted about it much, we have been working through some things behind the scenes.
On New Year’s Day our good friends Josh and Christina Gilson (@therubistina on Instagram) were killed in a highway car accident. It was a shocking and devastating crash, leaving their 3 children orphaned and the whole off-road community in shock and mourning. We had been good friends for 5 years, seeing one another often, communicating regularly and just expecting to have them in our lives indefinitely. Processing this loss has shaken us. Understanding it and accepting it are things we are still working through. Josh and Christina did everything right. They were meticulous with maintaining their Jeep, they had the best parts they could find, went above and beyond to be prepared. Yet in the blink of an eye everything changed. We are still waiting on the police investigation to hopefully explain what happened. They were the kind of friends who were always there for you. They supported everyone online – building community and always encouraging others. They attended every event. Always driving great distances to wheel and hang out with friends. Our kids were always together and grew up on the trail together. I got to stay with them when I was out in CO last August. I did not appreciate them enough. I just assumed they’d always be around – we’d always be together. It never entered my mind that they would be gone. This loss has devastated so many of us. There are facets to this that will impact us for years to come.
Their children – Deana, Josh and Kaylee are wonderful. The best of both Josh and Christina. They are going to need ongoing support throughout the coming years as they continue to process this tragedy and go on with their lives. There is a fundraiser that is accepting donations for those who are looking ways to help. Here is the link : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/DOCRCO?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US&fbclid=IwY2xjawIbA5RleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfDSzizILdBLzgeNvw5H7zJCcVuD2dGg9d02zStQ62cUgpnTPE4yOtdU1A_aem_v8vH0vNCxJMyB4QI-9T3GA
Some of what has been difficult to process is that this could happen to anyone. Their life was very similar to ours – off-roading a similarly built Jeep with family and friends often. If this could happen to them, it could happen to us. Which, quite frankly, isn’t something I had considered before. I built my Jeep with great parts. Excellent companies like Dynatrac Axles, Centerforce Clutches, RPM Steering, Bilstein Shocks, Genright Offroad and Mickey Thompson Tires contribute to my Jeep’s stability and reliability. But if it could happen to Josh and Christina it could happen to any of us. I’m trying to get something positive out of this tragedy – and I admit it’s been hard to find anything beneficial in this. The best I’ve come up with is – 1. have a will. Make 2 copies and give one to a trusted friend. 2. Set up a trust – keep your loved ones out of probate and court. 3. Make every moment count. Don’t put off doing something you dream of doing. Tomorrow isn’t promised. Do it now. 4, Tell your people you love them. “Love and live like you’re leaving”.
We’ve celebrated Josh and Christina at Winter 4×4 Jamboree with friends and family and will continue to honor their memory and friendship at SLOREX in a few weeks too. There will be other memorial runs throughout the year, with one at Trail Hero in the Fall as well. Keeping their memory alive and living the life they loved will also keep their spirit alive in our hearts.
Here’s my plan – Take the trip, build the Jeep, run the trail, explore the beautiful outdoors and live life as fully as possible. Our friends lived that way and they were right.
Recent Comments