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I have been a bit hesitant to post anything else in this thread because it is solely about the Ehlinger family. But ... Reading the outpouring of love and support in this thread, and having to live the horror of having a child taken, the inspiration comes in the most unusual ways. Today, I was scheduled to give about a 30 minute presentation on mental health/eating disorders and the legal community. (My daughter died from eating disorders after fighting it for 7 years ... and before you say, what the fuck?... eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses [only behind opioid addiction] with one person dying every 52 minutes]). The presentation is going to be shown during an international conference in June. I admit that there was a certain ... "emotion" missing from it. And then, I began to think of Jake's mom, what she surely must be feeling, that is if she is feeling anything yet, and in the midst of my despair and flashbacks to my pain, for some reason, I found new strength and resolve. Good God, what that incredible mother is going through right now is inconceivable! It filled me with greater resolve ... and purpose. And maybe.. . just maybe, My words will touch others. Jake's mom will never know about this. But one day, I hope she feels it ... she feels in her heart, that she and her beloved son, made a difference. That she and her son saved lives in the most unexpected ways. No words for her ... other than, she is not alone. I now know of so many other moms and dads who had a child ripped from their loving arms. But, from the senseless... if we can find reason. If we can save even one life...

Very true. It’s been enlightening reading the emotional stories of personal tragedy from people I generally associate with funny avatars and adolescent humor (saying this as one of those people). And also reinforces my thought that a large majority of the anonymous posters here are pretty solid individuals.

He’s reunited with his father

He’s gonna have to wait in line like everyone else.

Boy howdy. If the idea that you don't know what someone else has gone through needed reinforcement it's right here in this thread.

Obituary. Services 12PM, 12 May, Riverbend Church, Austin Thoughts and Prayers for the Ehlinger Family. AUSTIN, Texas – Arrangements for a Celebration of Life service have been set for Texas Football linebacker Jake Ehlinger, who passed away Thursday, May 6. Services for Ehlinger will be held at noon on Wednesday, May 12, at Riverbend Church Home for Hope, located at 4124 N. Capital of Texas Highway in Austin. In lieu of flowers, the Ehlinger family is asking that donations be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Those looking to do so can donate on a secure webpage by clicking here or by sending to Steve Vittornini at 478 Live Oak Lane, Spicewood, Texas 78669. University of Texas football player, McCombs School of Business second-year finance student, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity member, and a member of the Texas Silver Spurs, Jake was known for his larger-than-life joyful personality, grit, selflessness, and generous spirit of enthusiasm and encouragement. Jake never knew a stranger; whether you were meeting him for the first time or were a lifelong friend, he made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. He had the biggest smile and never judged a soul, spending his life spreading joy. Jake was the middle child who was the glue of his family, with the ability to turn tears into laughter in a moment. He was his dad’s little buddy, and they shared an unbreakable bond. His father’s spirit was alive and well in every part of Jake’s life. Tragic life circumstances created a unique opportunity for Sam and Jake to uplift and empower each other. They were each other’s biggest fans. Their mother, Jena, as well as their sister, Morgen, were the loves of Jake’s life. Everyone will miss his giant hugs, but no one more than Jena and Morgen. Jake was a gifted and fierce athlete from the start and maximized his non-stop motor, no-quit attitude, and willingness to rise to any challenge. Captain of the Westlake football team and a well-respected linebacker at the University of Texas, Jake fulfilled countless dreams at both schools, including sharing the field with his brother, Sam, who played quarterback. Westlake Head Football Coach Todd Dodge said, “Jake Ehlinger’s legacy will live on forever in Westlake Football. His pure toughness and willingness to do anything for his team is unmatched in the years that we’ve been together at Westlake.” Longhorn Football Coach Steve Sarkisian said, “Being a Longhorn meant everything to him, and he truly embodied all that it means to be one. In the short time we were able to get to know him, he always was a joy to be around and gave everything he had in workouts, meetings, practice and in life.” Jake’s friends meant the world to him and were a lifeline of entertainment and acceptance. The family cannot thank his countless friends enough for playing Chess, watching movies, hunting, listening to music, boating, praying with him, and loving him. Before sports and his academic and social lives, Jake valued his family above all else. Nothing was more important than his mother, Jena Cissel Ehlinger, his older brother, Samuel George Ehlinger, and his baby sister, Morgen Adeline Ehlinger. To honor Jake’s legacy, we hope to go forward with even a portion of the joy that Jake brought us. Services for Jake will be held at noon on Wednesday, May 12 at Riverbend Church Home for Hope, 4124 N. Capital of Texas Hwy. In lieu of flowers, the Ehlinger family is asking that donations be made to Fellowship of Christian Athletes c/o Steve Vittorini, 478 Live Oak Lane, Spicewood, Texas 78669 or on a secure webpage at: https://my.fca.org/?=name+stevevittorini They will also let everyone know about other ways to honor Jake very soon. Thank you for your care and concern. The family is beyond grateful for your support. “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:13 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” - Ephesians 2: 8-9 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18 https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/jacob-ehlinger-10184093

I lost my only sibling (brother) to bone cancer when he was 23. He when he was diagnosed at MD Anderson he was given 6-18 months to live. He lived 3 years to the day of the first day he set foot in MD Anderson. My wedding was 9 days prior to his passing. My mom spent the last 8 months of my brothers life at MD Anderson. Living in an RV in the parking lot. When she returned, to her it was almost like she lost two sons. My parents had some very dark years after my brother death. Fortunately they leaned on their faith. The anniversary of my brothers death and his birthday were very difficult days for my family for years. Twelve years to the day after my brothers death my only son was born. The day of my brothers death be came a reason to celebrate. Not only was my son born on the anniversary of my brothers death, he was born almost to the minute of his passing. My son was born at 2:31 am my brother passed at 1:32 am. This happened to be the date clocks fall back. Time helps but you never forget and truthfully you really don’t want to forget. my prayers are with the Ehlinger family. I know some dark days are ahead but faith and family will pull them through.

The last few pages of this thread really make me hopeful. All we can do is to be there for each other. For our friends, our families. Even for total strangers in a moment of human need. “Each other” is the only thing we’ve got that’s worth a damn, and that’s why the loss hurts so deeply. Because in our hearts, we know that truth. I remember when Ross died (I’m a lawyer here in town, and our community felt his loss). We started this week with another loss in the community that has many reeling. Then a couple of days later, Jake’s death. This, after I spent a couple of unwelcome days in the hospital myself. A rough week, but almost all tied to human loss, the only loss that really matters. Love and kindness don’t heal it. Nothing really does, the wound is forever because the love lost is forever. But they help. Kindness. Genuine giving of one’s heart and feelings. Laughter, even (especially) the awkward kind. It’s what we are supposed to do. My wife uses a particular SRV quote regularly in her business - which is the humanity business: “You see, we are here, as far as I can tell, to help each other; our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our enemies. That is to help each other and not hurt each other.” Keep on keeping on, Surly. And thank you.

I love this place.

I shared this story on shaggy years ago and I'll share it again. Freshman year of college I'm having lunch at the student center with a few friends when my girlfriend at the time called me told me that a good friend of mine had been killed the night before in a motorcycle accident. The guy was only 19. I went to the funeral and his dad was holding back, staying strong for his mother and siblings. I still stay in close contact with his mother. Whenever I find old pictures of us in old photo albums or boxes I post them on Facebook and tag her. I also mail her the physical pictures as well. She appreciates it and tells me that always makes her feel a little less pain. I've posted maybe a couple dozen pictures and I've mailed her about 50.

Been trying to come up with something to add to this thread, will add my prayers and condolences to the Ehlinger family. This sucks so hard on so many levels. I’ve seen and experienced way too much loss, so this strikes a nerve. No parent should bury their child. Horns Up to y’all...

Just now catching up on this...my sincerest condolences to the Ehlinger family. What they have been through is hard to fathom. Over the last 12 months, I have experienced a lot of death on my circle, albeit none from COVID. My 15 year old has been hard hit for her age...one of her oldest friends was orphaned during this time and another friend in her circle died in a tragic accident on Good Friday. In trying to help her cope with something that kids her age don’t deal with often, it reminded me that there but for the grace of God go any of us and we all just need to keep livin’ man. Don’t let many opportunities pass you by, whether it is attending a kid event or drinks with friends or a once in a lifetime trip. Tragedy is inevitable it seems and we all need to get the most out of life and leave an indelible impression on those lives we touch most. Reading the comments from teammates above, especially DO’s, it sounds like Jake left that indelible impression on them. RIP 48 and prayers that the Ehlinger family can have a nice long run without tragedy for a while.

Chinese Rocket Breaks Apart Revealing Inspirational Fortune Inside https://babylonbee.com/news/chinese-rocket-breaks-apart-revealing-whimsical-fortune-inside

I'll never understand how people can type that, read it after they typed it, look down and see their giant gaping pussy, and still hit send

And if we’re relying on Liz Fucking Cheney to be the heart of some new Conservative party then we’re completely fucked. She voted with Trump more than almost any other representative. Her politics are abhorrent. We’ll end up with two fascist authoritarian parties, it’s just that one of them will know which fork to use at a fancy dinner. Fuck Liz Cheney.

I just wanted to let you all know that Prince passed away this morning at 7:45. We brought him home from the hospital yesterday afternoon and he wasn't himself. He couldn't walk right, he couldn't get comfortable and he didn't have that glimmer in his eyes. So we called the vet and he said could be from fluid build-up due to his chronic heart failure or due to flushing his toxins from his chronic kidney failure, so we gave it the night. I stayed up all night with him hoping for the best, but this morning he was in agonizing pain. He was overheating, he was hurting when touched, so I called the vet this morning and my wife and I had him go to his eternal sleep. I promised myself, my wife, Prince, and you guys that I wouldn't allow him to suffer, and we did what was necessary and now I'm completely broken. I miss him so much. He was the fucking best goodest good boy anyone would have had the pleasure to meet. 15 years of being my best friend and side luck, and now I'm lost. We immediately took him to get cremated so we should get his box this week and I'll post it. Man he was amazing. Truly. Even my hard ass of a dad who passed this past August loved him to death, and anyone who knew my dad knew you were special if he liked you. He loved Prince, and now I hope he's waiting for him over the rainbow. I hope mine and Prince's souls are bound for life, even in the afterlife. Prince, I love you more than you will ever know, and you knew how much I loved you, but sometimes there just aren't words that can be expressed to truly tell them you love them, so these will have to do. I love you, boy. Forever. RIP, handsome bear.

That may prove to be difficult for him.

I'm in the post-shot waiting area after pfizer #2. w00t w00t

Twitter has a tip jar? Trump is losing his mind right now

If Ewers isn’t actively recruiting for Osu that’s a bad sign for them. He clearly loves UT and committed to Herman because of that but when Herman shit himself Ewers probably said to himself I can’t stay with this Herman train. Now he sees Sark is in charge and knows he can do well here. I think he is biding his time before he flips back. I’ll go on record that this flip back to Texas is going to happen. I haven’t been more sure of anything since I predicted Urban to Texas was a done deal. That will be 9.99 no on second thought that will be 10.99. Your welcome.

Tony Two Times got served the papers. Served the papers. Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Sailed from the Abacos to St Augustine this week. Had a great sail except that the 1st reef line chaffed through so we had to sail on the 2nd reef a lot of the time which is slooow as snot. Bonus of the trip was that we were 25 miles from Cape Canaveral when a Falcon 9 was launched. Pretty cool to see and I'd love to be even closer to a launch next year.

That’s nobody’s business but the Turks.

Seriously. That was us vs. a top 8 team on the road against their ace and we gutted out a W. Tell me this team ain't Omaha worthy.

Maybe it’s Pujols’ homerun in 2005 making a re-entry. 🤷🏽‍♂️

NY dems should redraw districts so that she loses her district.

Chinese junk in space?

This thread has made me realize that I've lived a very charmed life. It makes me feel guilty, thankful, and scared as fuck all at the same time. God bless all of you who have experienced this kind of tragedy.

The WHO says the rocket did not originate from China.

Forecast calls for 100% of this twelve pack to go down today.

So they don’t really have any idea what the song is, but they’re sure it’s racist and must go.

@Anastasis Someone is trying to take your “both sidez!!!” schtick over here.

How it started How it's going...

100% this. Fuck their shitty fans. TCU fans are proof that you can be white with money and still be trash.

I’m extremely happy that crowd went out miserable.

After 20+ years of you shitheads doing everything under the sun to ruin this country? Fucking A right I don’t mind it.

If there ever was more evidence needed that CR rep should not count on this board, Wanker Bob really drove home that point.

You're all good. I appreciate the kind words. Even after 14 years she's constantly on my mind. I always have a "what if". My wife and I still get her a Christmas ornament each year and we celebrate her birthday. She would have been 14 on March 16th. It hurts, man. God does it hurt.

Glad we're getting something in the Malcolm Epps trade.

Pfizer 1 at CVS they asked me to wait 15 mins inside the store. Pfizer 2 at CVS they asked me if I had any issues with the first shot. I said nope and then nobody asked me to wait 15 mins so I took off after about 5 mins of texting people I’m tan rested and ready.

I'm not a young black man, but, if I were, something tells me that I'd think that Rogan and Musk are a couple of dickheads.