Sit Right Here

Yesterday I found out that a long time family friend, someone I've known my entire life, passed away on Tuesday.

It was one of those pieces of news that I had been expecting to hear at any moment for a few weeks now but was hoping that I wouldn't have to hear it all.  Even when you try to prepare yourself for this type of news you're never actually ready to digest it when it comes.

This is the second family friend of mine that has died this year and I say this year because they were both members at our Legion post and our year starts in April.  I've spent the majority of my life at the local Legion post and a lot of our family friends have been in my life since I was born.  How could you not know someone from the post when within 24 hours of being born my carrier was being brought through those doors?

One of the most memorable things was when John was hosting his homecoming party after being a fifth district officer and asked my mom to cook for at least 100 guests less than a week before the actual event.  We spent many hours in the kitchen at the Legion cooking for his party and he was so good natured about everything.  He was always cracking jokes and finding ways to make my mom sassy and would crack another joke just to get her riled up.  His laugh was contagious.

I also can't forget all the times that we would gather in force to decorate the post for the several functions we used to host.  A full day of decorating was both fun and hard work and John always seemed to find one way or another to make it fun for me, even at a young age.

I'm writing this while I listen to Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan, the song that made the number one spot on my 25 Songs I Couldn't Stop Listening to in 2013.

"Funny how the good ones go too soon but the good Lord knows the reasons why I guess.  Sometimes the greater plan is kinda hard to understand. Right now it don't make sense, I can't make it all make sense."

It's a difficult thing to digest. Knowing that someone who has been around all of your life and has done fantastic things to help the community, state and nation and is no longer here.

It's too early.

I always pictured our friends from the Legion being at the important things in my life, even the ones who we have lost some communication with in the past years, including John.  Several of them sent me cards and called me when I had my hip replaced and when I graduated from high school.

But then I remember a few things. For instance, I'm 19 nearly 20 years old and these people aren't going to be around for forever.  Or that John was suffering in this life and was being called home to rest with his wife.  Knowing that he's not hurting and is with his wife and friends make me a bit happier.

"So long my friend, until we meet again. I'll remember you and all the times that we used to...sit right here on the edge of this pier, and watch the sunset disappear, and drink a beer."