Dear Devon,
You’ve never failed to make me proud; proud of you, of who I am, of where I come from. For someone who fought so long and so hard, you deserved much more than what you received. You deserved to live on, to get married and have a family to call your own. You deserved life. And what life you had, you lived to the fullest.
I admired you for everything that you were. You were so courageous and strong in your battle. You fought with every bit of your strength and every bit of your soul. It is not my place to write about who you were as a brother, as a son, as a friend, but I can speak about how you were and still are a role model to the community I grew up in. Every ounce of your heart shined through in your bright smile and positive outlook.
You were truly an inspiration to those around you, people you didn’t even know loved you. We were all there supporting you through every decision and every challenge that you faced. With the power of an entire community pushing you forward, you made it through every little obstacle that cancer could throw at you. You persevered through everything.
You were the hero that this community needed, Devon, and you gave us hope. And even when it was your time to leave us, that hope never left. It remains strong in our hearts where your memory lives on. I didn’t know you personally, Devon, but you influenced me to live every day to the fullest, to not let anything weigh me down, and to always have a smile on my face. I wish I had the opportunity to get to know you, but I feel as if I already do. I’ve watched your family grow and honor your life everyday. Your friends speak of their memories with you as if you are still here with them. But you didn’t leave us, not really. Your spirit lives on through everyone you touched; your family, your friends, your classmates, your home.
Thank you Devon, for everything you’ve done for this community. We will continue to love and honor your spirit as it thrives in all of us. You are missed deeply by all, some more than others, but there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think of you. So here’s to you, Dev, for continuing to bless us with your light. May you continue to watch over your family and remind them that you are still here.
Sincerely,
Abi
