My MTC companion (Danny) became one of my best friends during and for years after the mission. He was a huge BYU fan and we served together multiple times. Over the years we talked, texted, saw each others families occasionally. The last (text) conversation we had was prior to the Poinsettia Bowl against Wyoming in December 2016, when we joked about LaVell's statement about it being better to lose and live in Provo than to win and live in Laramie. Although we didn't watch the game together, we both watched a game that although tighter than it should have been, resulted in a BYU victory. I heard the term "Cardiac Cougars" more than once that year, with multiple close games. That game was also the one just before Coach Edwards passed.



The morning after the game Danny unexpectedly died of a heart attack on a treadmill at age 34. I was honored to speak at his funeral a couple of weeks later, where "Danny Boy" was performed. I listened to this rendition by BYU Vocal Point a lot during that time. It both hurt and brought solace. Interesting that after the game on Saturday, which had me thinking about Danny, it was in my Youtube suggestions today. Those feelings come rushing back, but also gratitude for a good friend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfRielL3Q94&list=PLzM4iKMyZBGM2zy6nHvZ9uAUM2PPNRtZl&index=18