Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Memory for Benny

Today seemed decent enough from my own view of the world. I started a new job (part of the old one, but separate all the same) and finished some freelance work. When i came home, though, there was news and it wasn't great.

I have a cousin. She had a husband. He passed away today. He was young and had a rare form of cancer. He, and his family, especially his wife and children, went through a lot these past few years since the diagnosis. He was a fighter.

When i think of him, I think of him smiling. He had a great smile. He had a sincere smile. I remember him that way. There is always a story that comes to mind when I think about him. It doesn't matter how many times, it's always that story that comes racing to my mind.

I was young. I don't remember the details as well as I want to. I remember that I was at my father's house. I remember the limo pulling up out front. It was exciting. That may have been my first limo experience, now that I think about it.

He had gotten the limo for (if i remember correctly) asking his girlfriend (my cousin) to marry him. She said yes. He had the limo all day. So he decided they were going to drive the kids around. We did exactly that. It was amazing and he was smiling. The whole time.

Someday i'll share that story with his children. Maybe it will help them remember him, remember what an amazing person he was and how much he loved them, loved in general. Loved life.

Farewell and we will miss you and I know in my heart that you are better now. There is no pain any more. The pain belongs to those who loved you now. We didn't want you to leave so soon.

I will always remember that limo ride. Not because of the bar, or the lights or the fancy seats. I'll remember because of Benny.

Poem of Farewell to a Friend
----------------------------
How does one say goodbye to a loved one?
Such nonsense is unnecessary-
The time the paths ran as one was important
And not the point at which they part.
It is true that all roads
do lead to Rome.

For we shall meet together in Heaven.
by Andy Veres

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