Stories

Stories from Disaster Response Ministries

"A Place of Healing through Tragedy"

Two years ago, a fun restaurant opened in our Folsom neighborhood named Lazy Dog. Yes, this is the place to take your “best friends” with 4 paws and sit out on the patio for a doggone good dining experience. Knowing we are dog lover’s, my Mom had introduced us to the Concord location several years prior, so my husband I were eagerly awaiting the Grand Opening in Folsom. In fact, I showed up to photograph the “ribbon cutting” ceremony on September 13, 2017.

Occasionally, over the past two years Brian and I have enjoyed great meals and conversations at Lazy Dog. The atmosphere is casual and warm, like dining in the mountains with family and friends. The servers and management staff are friendly and caring. The food is farm fresh and “hand crafted” with everchanging seasonal menus. There is a special menu for your 4-legged best friends. They have outstanding customer service and know “variety is the spice in life” in dining.

In April this year, we returned from a vacation and heard in the news there was a tragic car accident about 2 miles from our house. About a week later we went out to dinner at Lazy Dog. A server approached us right away to tell us about the car accident and that Josh had died. In fact, 5 employees were in the car that night. Speechless – my tears flowed, and I hugged her. Brian kept asking questions as “one by one” servers approached us to share tears, hugs and memories.  

Josh was a favorite server who had served us many times. Two weeks prior to going on vacation he greeted us with his usual big smile. Josh was eager to tell us that he just finished EMT training and passed the exams. He was applying to work the summer as a firefighter. Our minds raced back to our last conversation with Josh and exchanging laughter with Josh… At 28 years old, he wanted to help and save people from dangerous fires. My Dad was a Policeman who always stressed his admiration for Firemen as their job is so very tough and self-sacrificing.

Everyone at Lazy Dog was heartbroken about losing Josh including us. Brian and I wanted to surround our Lazy Dog Family with love, support and community during this very difficult time. I could not let go of the notion we needed to do something memorable to honor Josh and help the Lazy Dog family heal. I asked Pastor Jeanie if she had an idea what might bring healing and comfort to everyone.  

Pastor Jeanie said planting a tree in memory of Josh would be a great tribute from our Eventide Community. Brian and I were touched by this idea and wanted to make this happen. I contacted the SAC Tree Foundation and Lazy Dog Management and the plan went into motion the end of April. A lot of communications ensued over 5 months and I recently met with CEO Chris Simms for final approval and he is grateful.

I am excited to announce that the plans for this special event are on the calendar as of this week. We are planting a Japanese Maple in front of the restaurant with a memory plaque to honor Josh’s life. The Tree Planting Dedication will be held at Lazy Dog Restaurant in Folsom on Tuesday October 15, 2019 at 9:00 am. Pastor Jeanie will be giving a blessing tribute to the living memory of Josh as the tree is a symbol of life. 

When we notified Josh’s parents, his mother wept “tears of joy” and is looking forward to attending this event in remembrance of her son. The family is travelling from their hometown in Redding. Additionally, Josh’s parents have added “We will always miss your laugh and beautiful smile” to the plaque. The Lazy Dog family will be present at the ceremony as will Brian and myself.  

The interesting part of this story is how this story has unfolded… I believe God connected us and we have become an integral part of an engaged community that has grown through tragedy.  

We all are sharing our faith in God and life stories with one another. I have shared our mission work with Lazy Dog staff, and they are one of our sponsors for Disaster Response Ministries consistently making donations for our silent auctions. Likewise, the staff share their lives and hearts with us. We have real sharing and caring relationships with one another. Brian and I are committed to visit our Lazy Dog family once a week to continue to share conversations.  

- We are united through tragedy and we are healing through community. -

This journey brings to mind the following scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Thank you for being a caring and proactive community. 
Thank you, Pastor Jeanie, for all you do as an outstanding Leader for us.

Nancy Disher 
Mission Coordinator
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