“Sometimes the greater plan
Is kinda hard to understand
Right now it don't make sense
I can't make it all make sense”
~Luke Bryan
One of the things I loved so much about living in a small town is that everyone knew each other. I graduated with a class of roughly 200 students and we all knew each other by name. Our class was truly a family.
Just like any family, we would have our ups and downs, but at the end of the day, we always knew we had each other to lean on in times of hurt, or people to laugh with in times of joy.
On May 5, 2013, our class got devastating news. A member of our family was taken too soon. We were broken and left to find a way to put the pieces back together.
“How could this be?”
“Why is this happening?”
“I don't understand.”
Walking down the halls of TAHS after receiving the news, there was not a whisper to be heard, not an equation being solved, or a ruckus in the cafeteria. Just silence and the feeling of disbelief and sorrow that followed us around.
We lost one of our own. Just a month before our junior year was over, just 4 months until our senior year and our rule of the school, and just a little over a year until we threw our caps up in celebration together because we were finally getting the hell out of there. But God had a different plan in mind. He needed the strongest, bravest, and most handsome angel that night, and who better than you?
You brought out the best in so many people, you made everyone laugh and your smile could brighten anyone's day. You had a heart of gold and anyone who even spoke to you for just a minute could see that. You had so many people who loved you and cared for you, and just because you're not here with us physically, does not mean that ever stopped.
Our class helped each other cope and it eventually got easier to deal with. But nobody ever stopped sharing memories or stories about you and how great we all knew you'd be and how much everyone missed your crooked smile and beautiful eyes.
When we lose a loved one we often ask ourselves why it's happening and blame life for being so cruel and unfair. I went through this stage myself, however I believe that God has a plan bigger than any of us, and you were apart of it.
I know if you were still here, you would have been something wonderful. You are a guardian angel for me and so many others. Thank you for never leaving the class of 2014, and for always looking over us. May heaven be full of hunting, fishing and beer just for you.
I think I can speak on behalf of the TAHS Class of 2014 when I say we carry you with us forever in our hearts.
In loving memory of CJP❤️
