I just returned from the saddest funeral. The son of friends died suddenly. One moment here, alive, loving, and laughing. A parent should never have to bury a child. Should never have to hug a casket to say goodbye.
I know it happens all of the time, through accidents, and war, and tragedy. But it defies all order and logic.
His parents gathered grace and strength to speak during the service. Sobbing periodically as they did, his father said, “I never told him he was my friend.” Sure he had told him he loved him, he was proud of him. He told him to work hard, to study hard, to run hard, to play hard. He had told him to take out the trash and cut the grass. But he had never told him what a great friend he was. In his tears you could hear the regret.
Just words. But words left unsaid.
And so at the father’s request, we all raised our hands in unison to the heavens and said, “Thank you for being our friend.”
And then we all cried.
As did I. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you Annie for visiting and for letting Eric’s story touch your heart, like his life touched ours.