Tragedy.

Marcus Nelson

Sunrise 10/31/89 Sunset 6/17/11

This is Marcus Nelson.  My Dad and his Dad are best friends.  We grew up together, as all child hood friendships are formed, forced through adult bonds, ours was enjoyable and definitely something that has always stuck with me through out the years.  My first little boy crush, my first time recognizing with my child brain how different boys and girls are. He was always up for adventure, dived right into play time with me, nothing shy or awkward about it.  His parents let him do him, and boy did he.

Marcus was killed in a tragic and unnecessary car accident on Friday, June 17, 2011. Four of his friends, himself the front passenger were in the same situation that millions of young adults are in every single night.  Party hard, enjoying life high on the effects of alcohol, and feeling invincible enough to drive to the next town.  Marcus's friend inevitably killed his two friends and seriously injured another after he got behind the wheel intoxicated, he walked away uninjured.

Marcus was such a wonderful man.  So many people say this about all and any loved ones who have passed on, but Marcus was genuinely a dignified person to every single person who played a roll in his short life.  Marcus and I grew apart as our age increased, we built different lives, different friends, different goals.  Yet we were permanently bonded by all of the young memories we shared together.... and for this I am so grateful.

The Rosary & Funeral were unimaginably soaked in grief and whaling tears from those whom were closest to him.  Literally heart shattering.  As I sat in Our Lady of Grace, the vibrations of sadness hit our souls.  The sounds of a Mother whom had lost her youngest son, the sounds of a girlfriend whom lost her lover, her lover who was supposed to one day be her loving husband... it was devastating. Our sadness for them, for our selves, for the moments and memories that Marcus will never have... they filled the church with grief and expected sorrow. 

Going to the cemetery was the hardest part of the process of letting Marcus go.  The finale to something so unfortunate, a life that should of never ended until it' is fully lived. The whales of anguish are forever embedded in the souls of everyone who attended.

Love those who are near and dear to you. It is so easy to say, yet every day life becomes redundant and we forget to actually recognize our simple acts of expressing our joy and love we share with others and ourselves. When you hug, hug tighter.  When you hold hands, squeeze harder.  When you say good night, add "I love you" and emphasize LOVE. I will make this a habit, in memory of Marcus.

You will always be missed, always remembered, deeply loved and never forgotten. 

Love you Marcus.