R.I.P. Columbus Blue Jackets goalie

Vendors Russ Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Patrick: Life is so precious. Often, we, amazingly, forget this…until someone close and dear to our hearts departs this realm. I was reminded of this as I recently read about the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets’ goalie dying due to a fireworks accident on the 4th of July. I had never heard of this man and, yet, I still felt pain when I read about his death. Fellas—and we don’t have to get specific if it's too uncomfortable—do you guys have any thoughts on any of this?

Russ: Listen, we all are dealing with death in some form or fashion, whether we’re dealing with it personally or in the broad sense of it, and the thing is, we got to learn and understand the opportunity we have here. In this time we have, we can do so much, learn about so many things; shoot, we can create! Straight-up create something that someone else will have on his or her to-do or bucketlist.

John: That is trippy, Russell. I never thought about it like that. I mean, what you said about everyone dealing with death is a fact. I’m getting older, as are all of us, and it’s a fact of life: many of our parents and other older family members, friends—folks are leaving here. I did read about the Columbus Blue Jackets’ goalie, Matiss Kivlenieks, passing from this unfortunate accident, and I was sad. I was. Even though fireworks are dangerous and we know it, we get through many of these shows without anyone dying, so when it happens, it’s shocking and sad.

Donald: Feels like a waste of life. Not that he wasted his life; but that this young man’s life was cut short by something as unnecessary as fireworks.

Patrick: Don, I’m with you. To think this guy was sitting around having a fun evening—not realizing he was living his final moments— and, then, to get hit with an errant fireworks mortar blast and, just like that, it’s over. At 24 years old.

Donald: Yeah, that hurts.

Russ: With the coronavirus pandemic somewhat in our rearview mirror, I believe most of us—even if we don’t know anyone personally who may have died from it—began to appreciate more what life is and what it could be. Y’all know what I mean?

Patrick: I do.

John: Now, y’all know I wasn’t too deep into the damage of coronavirus, but a lot of people did die—whether from this virus or something else—and it has to take a toll on all of us. All of society, communities, households— whatever. This young man was in the early stages of getting his business going, and this happened. He represented Latvia this past spring at the world hockey championship and, with the Blue Jackets, word was that, next season, he would slide up to the no. 2 goaltender on the team.

Donald: And many spoke of him in positive termss. Calling him a good kid with a lot of talent, who was going to be an important part of the team in the near future.

Russ: You’re right, Patrick, life is precious. That’s why I make it a point to prioritize when it comes to my family or those I consider family. I make it a point never to forget what they mean to me.

Donald: Well said, Russell. It is important. I’m going to take that and carry it with me through the rest of my life. Life is precious…and it’s ours for the taking and making.

John: Rest in peace, Matiss Kivlenieks.

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