My first experience losing a peer came when I was in seventh grade. She was killed in a snowmobile accident, it was devastating and incredibly difficult to process. Sadly, as the years have gone by I have experienced the passing of many friends. It has not gotten any easier. It makes no difference if it was after a sickness or due to an accident. This year I have lost a few friends; one after a long illness, one after an accidental fall followed by a long hospital stay, and one by pure accident. As I write this the faces of all the friends that I have lost flash through my mind like little snapshots and I feel incredibly humbled to have known each and every one of them.
While dealing with these most recent losses I have done a lot of reflecting. I can remember something about each one of these souls and that makes me smile. When someone passes from this life they leave a hole in the lives of those who loved them and who had the honor of calling them "friend." I realized that sometimes in life things happen that are not easily explained and that is okay perhaps we do not need to understand everything.
Over the years I have had a thought flit in and out of my mind; even though people are gone the influence they had on other's lives remains, especially mine. There are things I see, things I say, things I do that instantly bring back memories. Sometimes in life people leave us but their memory and spirit can live on in us and through us.
Sometimes in life we have a responsibility to keep a memory alive. I promise to do my part in keeping their memory alive...
While dealing with these most recent losses I have done a lot of reflecting. I can remember something about each one of these souls and that makes me smile. When someone passes from this life they leave a hole in the lives of those who loved them and who had the honor of calling them "friend." I realized that sometimes in life things happen that are not easily explained and that is okay perhaps we do not need to understand everything.
Over the years I have had a thought flit in and out of my mind; even though people are gone the influence they had on other's lives remains, especially mine. There are things I see, things I say, things I do that instantly bring back memories. Sometimes in life people leave us but their memory and spirit can live on in us and through us.
Sometimes in life we have a responsibility to keep a memory alive. I promise to do my part in keeping their memory alive...
Here is a little memory of my dear friend...this song will forever remind me of you and your zest for life! You brightened the day of everyone you knew. Thank you for living life out loud. | This man was an example of someone who didn't know how to say no...everyone was a friend. Thanks for being such an amazing friend and thank you for the memories! |