Community thrived in Andy's spirit

We mourn. Again.

I didn’t know Andy Lahera. Not sure we’ve ever met, though our paths likely crossed in 2018 when his son, Nicholas, ran for School Board and I covered politics for the Chronicle.

But, boy, did I know Andy’s spirit.

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Thousands of Citrus Countians knew his spirit as well, and we thrived on it. These last two years, watching Michelle Laher’s daily Facebook updates of Andy’s slow but steady progress, ignited a hope that we identified in his fight.

I was driving back from visiting friends in Spring Hill when someone texted that Andy had passed. A few minutes later, the sheriff’s office announced his death on its Facebook page; hundreds, including me, shared it.

Many citizens stood along U.S. 41 through Inverness in the late afternoon as the procession drove by. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking of the day Phil Royal passed, when citizens lined the roads in an impromptu show of grief to welcome home their favorite son.

I really don’t have much to say today. The County Commission had a budget hearing at 5 p.m. Thursday. I didn’t go. I watched about 5 minutes online, then decided just to shut it down for a day. I’m sure I’ll watch it sometime over the weekend.

I’m just feeling a little numb. The world’s gone crazy, we all know that. Heroes are difficult to find. Decency has hit the highway. Not sure who’s running the store these days.

Don’t know about you, but every so often I need to know there’s balance in our world. I told a friend on Christmas Day that I occasionally need reminders that someone loves me. Man, it’s so easy to fall into isolation and loneliness.

Then I’d see on Facebook each morning another photo of smiling Andy, with an update from Michelle: “Please say a prayer for Andy today!” And we did. Every single day.

That’s the balance I seek. Yeah, crazies are everywhere. But to see the love poured out both from the Laheras and for the Laheras these last two years is nothing short of extraordinary. We adopted one another. Their plight became our plight. Their struggles, our struggles. Their victories, our victories.

And now their loss. Our loss.

I told Michelle Lahera a few months ago, “You are one tough broad.” She smiled. God help the person who crosses a fierce, determined wife defending her husband and family. And thank-you, Michelle, for keeping us in the loop. 

Andy’s struggle has ended. His passing is an enormous loss for the community and a reminder to cherish our everyday heroes. Especially the men and women who wear a badge.

Check the sheriff’s office Facebook page for information about services. 

Have a peaceful weekend, friends.

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