BY Isaiah Frizzell
Community is our ultimate strength, especially in times of crisis. We’re all that we got and that’s a lot.
“The pain passes, but the beauty remains” – Pierre Auguste Renoir
We’ve all heard the unfortunate events surrounding the fatal shooting of Josh Takacs. The perpetrator, Chris Holloway, made a stupendously life-altering decision affecting an entire community far beyond what he might have been considering in that brief moment of emotional chaos.
Mourning for a community member, beloved and cherished, is a bittersweet moment. The deep irony of life and the lessons we learn in times of crisis can be challenging. We grieve and take the time to put a frame around the space left behind. Fill it with memories and the strong reinforcement that comes from open hearts to transcend. It’s a process through which we choose to become stronger as people and as a community. The details won’t be reported here yet again. This is for Josh Takacs.
How does such a tragedy take shape in our loving, close-knit community? Josh was a unique and positive force who touched the lives of countless people across Sun Valley and his memory survives through our connections.
Having spoken to shopkeepers, gas station attendants, and so so many friends of Josh, the words of love and fond farewells swell with the weight of tears. It’s in the levity of the bright memories and laughter shared that we shore up our compassion, hew our hope and build a spiritual monument that helps alleviate the loss, ensuring his memory will continue.
There’s been a a potluck for close friends and acquaintances and many small gatherings. If you’re invited, show up, bring something, add to the community, even if it’s just your presence. A celebration of life is at Bellevue Memorial Park, Saturday, September 23rd at 2 p.m.
With deep care and empathy we must rally around Josh’s mother. Few can understand what she’s going through internally but as a community there are things you can do. With an open heart, be available. With compassionate and circumspect attention, kind words, faithful conversation and knowing when to just listen. The mind makes mazes, sometimes people just need to talk, sometimes to sit in silence with a caring confidant. Mourning is a complex human process and everyone handles it differently. As a community, just showing we’re there will make all the difference to a mother, suddenly bereft of her son. We touch and pray for forgiveness, deep understanding and open hearts.
If you wish to donate, find the GoFundMe by searching Josh Takacs or click the link if you’re reading online. https://www.gofundme.com/f/josh-takacs. You can also contact Mandi Iverson for details