Growing up and saying Good-bye…

As a child, we were inseparable.  Whenever I went to her house, we’d get lost in the cow fields for hours at a time.  We’d climb trees, play in the creek bed, and hide in the hay loft.  We had tons of fun together.   Her brother and sister were older and way cool.  He was funny and the sister was beautiful like Miss America.

That seems so long ago, yet with the news of his passing, it seems like yesterday.  You see we were more than just friends.  We are family. We are cousins and I miss each of them.

Out of all the cousins, he is the first to depart.  I sit here trying not to cry, trying to write something that makes sense, while my head is just full.  He left behind not only his dad, mom, and sisters, but a wife, and two boys the ages of my own.

This is one of the hard parts of growing up.  It’s more than just your body aging.  It’s learning, growing, loving, forgiving, and walking with your Creator.  It’s matters of the heart, soul, spirit.  It’s moving forward and not giving up.  It’s learning to let go.

I don’t even remember what was said, but words were spoken years ago that separated our families before our physically moving to South Carolina did.  But you know what?  I still love them and think about them, even though I have a strange way of showing it.  And no, I didn’t get to say good-bye.  And I didn’t get to meet his youngest son and I don’t know if I ever will.  But I still love them.

I’m thankful for the memories that I have; seeing him smile and laugh, remembering his kiss to his wife when they first were wed, and how he was a great dad.    These memories give me peace and even though they won’t be the same as others; that’s o.k, because that is how I remember him.

Some things can’t be explained, but I know that God is in control.  We don’t have to understand everything, we just need to trust Him.

My encouragement to you is that anytime you leave the presence of a family member or friend, that you do so on the best terms.  Maybe even with an “I love you”, because you never know when you’ll see them again.

Have you told anyone “I love you” today?  It’s the best way to say good-bye….