Today you are 32. I went to work today for the first year on your birthday since you have been gone. I did good....everyone said so. It was a hard day. It is always a hard day now. I did remember when you and the Hammond boys played "Monkey in the Middle" and you got clocked on the head with a big rock and had to go get stitches. You all told me that you fell in the ditch on the way home - but when we went past the spot where you said it happened - that story didnt play out. I laughed hard about that today.
Why is your brother half cut out of this picture darn it!? WTF!
You had so many friends here- so so many! I still have people say to me "Man that guy had a lot of friends!" You did and we have lots of people comment on how many friends Rye had and still has- My cousin still has kids (okay - grown men now) show up at their work and say "Rye said I should come see you if I ever needed ...." and he loves it that they remember him and remember you. We all do. It matters. You have more friends on that side now too. Uncle Jeff, Uncle Ron, a few others who I know are talking sports and biking with you - maybe some music too.
Each year that passes wthout you here always brings worry that we will be the only ones who will remember you. Time slips past, and it feels like you get further and further away.....until you ring the doorbell at the school so that we will go out and see the Geese, or change the radio station, or make some pictures fall out of the box on the desk so that we can SEE you. I am glad of it especially on days like today that are hard for lots of reasons.
Memories of hockey days and all the friends you made there, friends who are still here and remember you with us - including all those guys in the back row checking out your cool hair and wishing they had it - yeah - I see you - forever with your game face on among the smiles - I see you.
You were a good friend I am told, and one special friend who called you "the giver" and said that you always knew when to call or touch base with them - like you knew they were struggling - and you made it better. Some of those friends still check in with us on days like today and your leaving day, and sometimes randomly through the year too. Still have all the love- and the memories.
And there will always be this - the "Rye Sign"! Carried on through to the next generations who will remember you through us and through the friends.
Amazingly - no one in this picture is giving the Rye Sign - even "the Giver"! 30 seconds later you all were! This was birthday 21. Sweet memories and look how young you all look!
I have decided that one of my reasons for being on the planet still is so that eventually everyone will be much more comfortable with the word "F^ck"! Nana learned where the word came from finally this year. 2025. She was able to laugh about it a little even -
Pond hockey was this weekend and there were a lot of your friends there too - the "Rye Sign" lives as though it is the "Force"!
We marched through today, and we were even able to remember you with smiles and I only cried once and a little at work. Eventually we will be able to really celebrate you and do things to honor you the way you deserve to be. So I'm told...... eventually.....
I hope that your friends were all around to raise a glass of whatever stinky beer the Universe holds for you, and that you were able to see us today,thinking about you, cherishing the memories, and recognizing the friends who are still here to remember you with us.
Love and light my darling Angel - Im giving you the Rye Sign from here.
Blessed Be and Love your People
No comments:
Post a Comment