In Memory

Take some time out from your busy schedule and tell those who are close to you that you love them. Tell them how much they mean to you. It will make them feel good and it will make you feel good as well.

As the years go by (with ever increasing speed), I have begun to realize how fragile life really is. I have seen too many friends and family members become memories for me not to realize that life can be snuffed from any one of us at any given moment. This is what lead me to begin this entry the way that I did. An expression of love and thankfulness for someone can be priceless if such an expression is the last made to that person.

I saw Ms. Portillo for the last time at the memorial service for Susan Kunkel of all places. I wish that I could have said something to her, but time got away from me and by the time we headed for the door, she had already gone home. Two weeks later when I found out that she had died, I wondered (and still wonder) what I could've said to her that day to let her know how much she meant to me and to a lot of students like me. It's sad, in a way, that we can grow to love and appreciate people the way that we do (according to human nature) and not be allowed certain opportunities for closure when time calls for change.

It is this change that has been so hard for me to deal with these past couple months. Most recently, I recieved word that a friend of mine, Ivan, hadn't woken up Wednesday morning. I know that Ivan will be profoundly missed by his family and by his church family. We got to know him over the past several months as a brother in Christ--always a smile on his face and a friendly handshake to extend your way. His energy and passion for ministry through music was palpable. When I see him again, I am going to thank him for being a good friend. When I see Ms. Portillo again (soon), I am going to thank her for being a good friend. Don't wait until then, though. Tell your friend what you appreciate in them. God forbid that you'll be thankful for it one day.