Well, you were like a brother to me. Even though I was older by one month of age. You would always be like I was the wiser and the more mature one. Memories of our friendship with Steph.
I am always the third wheel.
In June 2001, I was going to the East Coast to visit a friend. You said you always wanted a bottle of Screech to try. I was out in PEI and I happened to go past a liquor store and found a bottle. I remember arriving home with gifts for your family. You looked at what they got and smiled. I remember waiting to see your reaction like a annoying sister. Then I said I have a surprise for you. When I pulled out the bottle your reaction was priceless. You were like a kid in a candy store. You grabbed the bottle and took a taste. Your face makes like you were weaned on pickle juice all your life. You laughed and had another sip.
That summer you got married, on your wedding day. As you and I sat together after the speeches. You grabbed my paper and said "what are you going to talk about me like". As you looked at my paper you said to me" if anything happened to you would you take care of my kids" and I said "yes". "Would you take care of mine". You said "yes". Years later, we kept our promises to each other. I am with your beautiful daughter and son. You in heaven with my son. The fact your grandpa now and you would have loved and spoiled those grandchildren. They are a blessing of you, especially the oldest grandchild. He reminds me of you.
The day you got married was our last photo together. Then, 10 short days after you were married, you passed away.
On our last day together in that coffee shop, I had a talk with you. I said to you "I feel death". "I feel it so strong I feel it was me". You looked at me and said "it's not you do not worry about it". Then I watched you walk out of the coffee shop with your hand on your son's head. As we stood by the cars, You started to walk away, then you turned around and walked over and gave me a hug and told me to" take care, Con Swella". Who knew Con Swella meant to comfort
I can talk about the moments you let me know you were still around us after your passing. The one that had an impact was. When I was in bed, I heard the knock on the door. I told my boyfriend to go to the door. I said it was you. I said I could not see you. I was in tears. I sat in bed. He went and answered the door. He went back to bed. I asked what happened, what you did see. He said all I smelt was evergreen. The next morning, I went to visit Steph. Her friend was sitting at the table. She said," You know Steph when you came to the door I smelt evergreen. Steph said your bag with all your personal effects arrived from your company that morning. She went and grabbed your cologne. It smelt like evergreen.
With the years that have passed, you are always mentioned, and you had more ways of showing me that you are still apart of my life. Another moment had to be the day I went to the medium with your daughter. Out of 500 people with Colette Barron Reid, you delivered a message to your family and children. The best thing was, when you passed, I would say "what are you going to do? Punch me in the arm?". With Colette asking me why you keep saying to her "I will punch you in the arm". That day to watch your little girl beam up again to feel you and your words. I am glad I helped you to deliver the message to her and your loved ones.
What I learned in your death has helped me to build who I am today. Helping others to take a look back and see how their loved ones prepared them for their departure. Miss you! My brother and thank you.
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