Tomorrow my friend will be laid to rest in New Orleans.. One of my favourite places... I wish Id had the chance to experience the culture of my favourite place with them. I hate that the last time I was there I didnt meet them on Bourbon Street or catch Mardis Gras beads while eating a funnel cake in the streets. For as much as I take pictures, I hate that I dont have a photograph OF them or WITH them to hold on to a chuckle of a memory or a strong reminder of a heated debate that ended in laughter and drinks. As I said in a post on Monday I have no idea if there was anything I could have said or done to change their action. Short of prayer in a situation like this there really isnt anything you can do. But in a scenario where prayer is the least you can do know that it is also the MOST you can do. My friend was successful. Highly accomplished academically, widely respected in their occupation. The head of many efforts to reduce violence in New Orleans both as an employee for Justice and a volunteer. Constantly in local New Orleans newspapers for their drive and determination within the community. Plenty of loving friends and family to speak of... What Im trying to explain is I had no idea what they were struggling with on the inside of their mind and in the center of their heart. Ive thought about them all week. The songs we wont sing together in a car...I ran up some stairs for a meeting and was out of breath and thought about their last breaths and emotion swept me. I thought about how this is the 3rd friend Ive lost to a similar situation such as this...I thought about how painful, devastating, and heartwrenching this must be for their mother and the rest of the family and friends. I thought about how words that Ive used in attempt to define this loss cant even begin to touch on what the aching in their mothers heart is feeling like right now. My heart and prayers continue to go out to everyone who knew and loved my friend. Remember to pray for your friends and your family. Not just when you know theres a problem, or suspect theres a problem, but also when theres seemingly nothing wrong at all. And when given the opportunity to communicate with them phone, Skype, or (on the rare occasion that schedules align)... meet them for a meal and some laughter. You never know what a kindred bond can prevent, what a powerful prayer can stop, but even in the cases of the inevitable you can know you did your part as someone who cares...who cared. #RIP JSP aka Neezy #YouWillBeMissed #GetYourNeezyOn
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 12:29:25 +0000
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