Does that include the living? To me, it does. The grief of losing that person is much the same as watching someone die.
At 6, I watched my father be eaten alive by cancer. Few days later, sitting in the front seat of the church, by myself, I sat there looking at my father in a casket. My mom would join me, she would allow me to kiss my father goodbye. I would return to my seat to hear my Mother uncontrollably cry.
I've never forgotten the moments of that day. When I hear his name, the very first thought that enters my mind is kissing him goodbye. In living color.
2 years later, my grandmother would pass in her sleep.
And the list continues to today.
I stopped going to funerals, wakes and even visiting people in hospitals and homes. I want to remember them happy, healthy, not barely alive, skin and bone and then dead in a casket.
I've dealt with death all my life, while I don't fear it, I fear for those I leave to live. The world we live in is evil. Prove me wrong.
So today, as we enter memorial weekend, I take a moment to remember moments of those who have come, only to pass through my life.
To those of you who are still alive: Cory and Fhylishia, you'll never be forgotten, unloved, unmissed, will always have a place in my memory of the moments that I cherish most.
As our time on earth grows unpredictable, unknown, and seemingly false day by day - I would hope for those of you who can reach out to your loved ones..do so. A short text takes 24 seconds. A phone call..as long as you'd like it to be.
Tomorrow isn't promised.