Yesterday Dave and I attended the wake of the sister of one of my old college friends. He’s not someone I keep in touch with regularly (but really, is there ANYONE I keep in touch with regularly?) but he’s someone I can honestly say I love very much. He was one of my first friends at school, and he’s always watched out for me. Normally when I see him, I can’t help but smile and feel happy…his smile and personality are infectious.

So when I found out his sister passed away, too soon and with no warning, my heart broke for him and his family. With my mother, we were able to prepare ourselves, spend every last second with her and say our last good byes and “I love you”s. When someone dies suddenly and so young, it’s just not fair. There’s a whole lot of questions we wish we had answers to, but sometimes there are no answers to be had. It sucks.

It was hard to be at the wake…it was the first major wake I’ve been to since my mother died (my aunt passed away not long after). It hurts to see all the sadness, even harder to see the family grieving. I’d only met his sister on one occasion that I knew of, and that was just briefly. When I saw her picture, it was obvious they were siblings - she had the same big and charming smile. I admit that I broke down a little and cried when I finally got to see and talk to him…her death had been weighing heavily on my mind for some reason since I heard about it. Seeing him and talking to him brought it all to the surface. I gave him the biggest hug I could, both of us murmuring words to each other. There were a million things I wanted to say to him - that it really sucks, that life will never be the same, no matter how many people say “it’s going to be ok” or that every holiday, every milestone in life is going to have a little taint on it because she’s not there.

So to you, my friend, I love you and I’ll be here for you if you ever need me, and when your grief brings you into that deep and dark abyss, there are people who love you who will help you through it.

Tags: Daily //