From the Private Journal of Alexander Miers
I got the news the Saturday. Aaron Lopez, friend, confidant, best man…was shot and killed by an unknown member of a drug cartel in Ciudad de Juarez, Mexico. I’ve had people close to me die before. I have watched golfing buddies and drinking buddies succumb to heart attacks and other early deaths. I’ve had exactly 7 people I know die in automobile-related accidents. One person I know has committed suicide, but Aaron’s death has shot me to the core. He is the reason I’m here today, the reason I’ve gotten anywhere in my life. When things happened with Elene, it was Aaron I called. When my children needed a Godfather, it was Aaron that stood at their baptisms. He was trying to make the city (his hometown) a better place, working to help the mayor build a plan to crack down on the current violence. Now he is a victim, just another man in a casket.

I’m going to his funeral despite the advice of both my family and my advisors. I have to wear a bulletproof vest the whole time. I’m traveling with an entourage of armed guards. They think I’ll be a kidnap target, if not the target of a flat-out assassination. The violence has spilled over from just between the feuding gangs to every day citizens. Businessmen of all types are being extorted, kidnapped. Innocent people are getting shot. I worry about my life, but I can’t not go. I can’t miss the chance to say a last goodbye to Aaron. To avoid the city would be a dishonor to his memory, and besides…Boston may be sending down officers soon to help with the fight. We’re one of the best trained forces in the States; we can’t just sit around and not help, especially now that the violence has spilled over into America. Still, I can’t help but wonder if this is perhaps a bit stupid. Is it really worth my life to make a point and watch a box of wood be lowered into the ground? If this were Iraq, would it be different? It would be acceptable for me to put my life on the line to visit our soldiers, but not the suffering citizens of another country or to bury my best friend. It’s hypocritical, but so is everything else in this world, even me.

Mostly, though, I worry about the kids. I worry Dmitris is getting too much into Hollywood. I’m worried Kat is going to go away from the family completely and never look back. I’m worried Jo will wake up tomorrow and realize it’s not worth it. I’m worried I worry too much, and to make matters worse, the doctor now says I’ve been losing weight and appetite due to an ulcer that he can’t do much for. Tonight, I will pray for understanding and the ability to continue to live with the hand I was dealt. I will pray for humility, patience, wisdom. Mostly, I will pray for courage. I don’t imagine these next few days will be easy, and The Lord only knows I’ll need His help.