You were taken way too soon.
Sometimes I forget that you're gone and I still expect to get a goofy snap chat from you or to have you call me for one of our life talks. It's during the holiday season that it seems that I miss you the most. The anniversary of your death doesn't sting quite as badly as being back at home without you there. I can usually shake the feeling of your absence whenever I am away at school and surrounded by many distractions. But sitting in our hometown, with no one there to keep me busy, leaves me with my thoughts and the empty spot where you used to be.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
I know that I shouldn't, but I still hate that I didn't take full advantage of every moment that I got to spend with you. You were the most charismatic person, you made us all feel like your best friend, and you could always turn the worst day into the best day, and I was so proud to know you. When I found out that you were gone, I was mad. I was mad at you for leaving this world, when you were the source of so many people's happiness. I was mad at God for taking you. And I was mad at me for not taking you up on your offer to go out to dinner the week before. Hindsight will get you every time.
Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Your future was so promising. You had some of the biggest plans that I've known an 18-year-old boy to have. But that's how you were, you made big plans and you had every intention of living up to them. I think that's why we all loved you so much, your zeal inspired us to live bigger and bolder lives.
It's been almost two years since the world lost you. While it got darker at first, those of us who knew you learned to shine light in the same way that you did. You were truly a blessing and our lives were shaped by the way you touched them. You should know how much I still love you. And how much I think about you and wonder what your life would look like if you were still here. I rest easy knowing that you're up there with Jesus. I smile thinking about how you're probably talking his head off.
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
I'm jealous that Heaven has you and we don't, but I totally get why God wanted you back. One day I'll see you again. I imagine we will spend a long time catching up, you probably have a lot of opinions on some of the decisions I've made, and I'm sure you'll give me a lot of hell over some of the boys I've dated, too. Until then, I know that you're watching over me because that's the kind of amazing person that you are. I'll try to keep things interesting, it has to be entertaining watching me hold my life together.
Keep me on the right path,
A friend who misses you very much.
