Mourning and Remembering

The past couple days I've been thinking a lot about friends who have passed away, and especially most recently a Central classmate who died quite tragically in 1976.

I had never fully mourned her loss, and it's catching up to me now for some reason. I have this deep sadness about it now like I have never felt before. Have you ever not fully mourned the loss of someone?

At the time, Kathy was a typical teenaged girl. I was a typical teenaged boy. She had just dumped me, and I don't blame her for that. I was a sophomore, she a junior. I was an annoying punk kid.

But her choice of new boyfriend troubled me, and I am haunted by the few minutes one day outside the school gym hall when I pleaded with her that she stop seeing this guy, and stay away from him and his wild friends.

Not like I'm clairvoyant. I'm not.

Sadly, it was only a short time thereafter she was killed goofing off with this new set of friends.

I mourn her loss. Now more than ever. Especially as a father now, looking over the welfare of my children. It must have been exceedingly painful for her parents and family.

I didn't attend the funeral back then, or mourn her loss. I couldn't face it. Unfortunately.

Certainly, unexpected tragedies are all around us. Such a multitude of mankind, with each person woven into the cosmic fabric, so that one person seems insignificant in the structure of so many tightly knit fibers.

Who could this one person, Kathy, have become if she had not died so tragically? I can only speculate.

I mourn her loss now more than ever. Why now?: I don't know. Who really cares?: I don't know.

However if I might at least advise, if you lost a friend and you still need to fully mourn the loss, take the time to do it.

And after the time of mourning, remember all the good of your relationship, that it may bring you peace, and prepare you for a day when you meet again in glory!

Kathy, you are a beautiful soul, but you left us too soon! I sure look forward to seeing you again in the glory of heaven!