#lostcross

#lostcross

I first met Matt Dierker in 2009, the day after my birthday. I was in Carbondale for the first time and I didn't know anybody there. He, to this day, stands out as a "safe place" in Carbondale from that night. I remember feeling very connected to him and I kept looking for him during the Sass Dragons set because there were some rowdy folks in the crowd and I knew that if I needed help, I could ask him. Luckily, I didn't. Everyone had a good time that night. The last time I saw him was at Lost Cross a couple of years ago, when my band played there when I was pregnant. He walked into the house carrying beer and took a sip of Ray's N/A Old Milwaukee to see what it tasted like. I learned about his death yesterday, 5 years to the day since I met him. Though it's been some time since I saw him, I cried and my heart hurts for my own loss as well as the loss of those closer to him. He impacted me so strongly the few times I got to spend time with him, that I can't imagine what those that spent every day with him or those that knew him much longer and more intimately must be feeling. Matt was an avid cyclist, both for leisure and competition, and he was killed on his bicycle. Please, in honor of him and of those whose hearts are a lot heavier, look for cyclists and be safe drivers. Rest peacefully, Matthew, knowing that you have made such an impact on those around you. I promise that I will do my best to do for others what you have done for me.