Dear Timmy,
I know you don't know me and I only know you from photographs, but I wanted to say hello. I never got to say those words to you; this is the first time. I never got to give you a hug or hear your laugh because God took you too soon in life. It really wasn't fair. I remember when I was little, I would always see pictures of you around grandma and grandpa's house, but I wasn't able to put a name to your face until I was five. I would look at your bright blonde hair, your glasses, your tall stature. I think it was my parent's wedding photograph. It was my favorite, except it was missing me from it. I never knew you were part of the Boyle clan, our crazy and wild family. You never attended our family gatherings.
After I learned what happened, holidays were the hardest, especially Christmas Eve. If only you took a different way home or decided to get a haircut a few days after Christmas. Or if it had been warmer out and the ice wasn't there; if your car had never slipped...I know wishful thinking cannot change what happened, but at times, I wish it could. Everyone always says what a kind and gentle soul you had; sadly, I never got to experience it. I could sense an empty presence, avoid at the table during Thanksgiving. There was a silence during grace as we blessed God for the family that he gave us, for he also took one of us away. Our family will never be whole again since the day you passed away; you simply cannot be replaced.
You have missed so much; things that you should have been here for. You missed your younger brother get married to a beautiful woman, you never got to see your sister grow up, and you did not get to see your parents grow old together. And you never got to meet me. I want to tell you about everything that you missed because then it might feel like you never left. I truly wish that some things in life were reversible, but sadly that is not how the world works. Your death was permanent.
Even though you are gone, there is not a day that goes by where people are not thinking about you. I can promise you that. Within your short life, you touched so many hearts, and that is something that can never be forgotten. To this day, I pray for you every night and you will always be in my prayers. You are family; and family loves one another until the very end. I love you very much, and you will always have a special place in my heart.
Love you forever,
Your Little Cousin
