Dearest Friend

This piece is receiving a new dedication today, as a family that I consider to be close friends is today dealing with the loss of a man that was a beloved brother, uncle, son, father, etc. He passed from this world at far-too-young age of 36, and my heart goes out to his family.



A few years ago, during Fall 2001, one of my high school teachers challenged us to write a poem in a tone that was sympathetic to some sort of human experience or emotion. Several went for the easiest ones, such as the thrill of being seniors, breaking up/getting together with someone special, etc. I on the other hand chose to deal with trying to console a friend who has recently lost someone close. I passed the assignment, and never thought I would end up seeing the poem again. To me, it had as much value as the piece of paper I had written it on.

However as luck, or rather misfortune, would have it, I did end up seeing it, this time with a entirely new outlook on its significance. A very close friend of mine, Chris, who was also very popular among the student body, died a few months later, in January of 2002. I was at a loss for how to deal with this, as were many of my friends who had also been friends with Chris. While going through some old papers, I once again came across a wrinkly sheet of paper, and the words hit me like a ton of bricks. I shared it then, hoping that it would help those who were grieving.

Maybe it can do the same for someone else out there.