Remember That Time

-you stole all of my good cd's?
-you hated Skittle cars?
-I loved chicken wings and actually ate them?
-we went to the pool instead of to work?
-we lived in one room, with all of our stuff?
-we were happy?
-we had Sunday night movie nights in our big, comfy, ugly chair?
-I helped you with (ahem, did) your homework so we could hang out sooner?
-Boom peed on you on the drive from hell?
-we were going to buy a house?
-you were the best part of my day?
-you weren't ready?
-I didn't stand up for the things that I wanted?
-you were my best friend and my family?
-I hated that dog sweater and you made me repent?
-I ruined Angie's bachelorette party?
-your sister read our "Hey Ya" texts?
-you pumped iron?
-I kissed a girl?
-we got in a fight, got over it, & swam in our panties-all in one night?
-I'd cry when I had to leave you?
-my cup ranneth over?
-you loved & hated morning kisses?
-my mom was a vision in sequins?
-I won a right-hand ring?
-we lived with your brother? and his wife? and their dog?
-I missed your finish line?
-we had it?
-we lost it?
-we didn't take each other for granted?
-and then we did?

Grappling

I went to a funeral on Sunday. The funeral was for a boy that I went to high school with. He was a boy that I'd had a crush on for most of my adolescence. The thought that he is no longer wandering around this town, or this world, just outside of my periphery, is still incomprehensible to me. Eight years have gone by since I saw him daily, and yet the thought of his permanent absence knocked my heart out of its place. The confident, charming person he was in my mind, and the unhappy man he must have been in his reality...the two people don't coincide in my brain. How can perceptions sometime be so off kilter with reality? The loss of him makes me sad for myself, but more sad for his family, for his wife, and for his many friends. I do believe that his mother was right - she wrote in the note that they read at his funeral - that he touched more hearts and more people in this life than he ever realized. I hope he's found some peace, and that it finds the others missing him now.