7 YEARS

“If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know exactly how it feels. And if you have not, then you cannot possibly imagine it.”  ― Lemony Snicket, The Bad Beginning

Miguelito was more than just a nephew to me he was like my son. I would like to honor his memory with stories about him instead of grieving and crying for him. 7 years ago today we all lost a kid who was not just a son but also a brother a nephew, a cousin a friend a lover and or confident to many. But those who knew Miguelito know that he was a unique, creative, solid, independent, robust, stubborn soldier.  “Oh boy”, Miguelito was a force not to be reckoned with. This kid loved unconditionally and hard.

My favorite memory of this kid was when we shared a 2-bedroom apartment. My brother had his room and I had the other room with my two babies. We had a pull out sofa so that when Miguelito and Mark would come visit. As I think about this, all I can remember is Miguelito coming to visit and NEVER leaving…. (smile) The next thing I can remember about this story is having to share a queen size bed not with just 2 kids but 3 plus me made 4! As I think back I believe the reason why my back still hurts so much is because I was smacked, kicked, poked and shoved off my bed so many times by these characters. I remember kicking Miguelito out of my room a million times but yet all I can remember is that every time I got up at 4:00 in the morning I would step on either his head, leg, foot or arm. What the??? What a way to wake up. Everyday I would escort this kid out and yet everyday this kid would end up in my room.

In addition to stories like this I remember him being such a GREAT cousin to my boys. How attentive he was to my kids and how he tried to give them the right advice, but most of all how much he allowed my boys to get away with. Good God if you needed someone to have your back, well this kid was the person for you! Not sure how I feel about that now, because I’m sure there’s a WHOLE LOT of things I still don’t know about. Sometimes things are better left unknown Lol.

YES this kid was taken from us too soon but in the larger scheme of things he is where he needs to be. He is with our Lord and Savior and what better place than that? To suffer no more and be in the kingdom of heaven watching and protecting his loved ones. So I close with these words and I hope that it provides comfort to you as it does to me:  “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed, and held so dear.”

So to my brother Miguel and nephew Mark although words are unspoken please know that your pain and sorrow is felt by many.  I pray that one day your torment will be lifted and you reunite with your loved ones and create new memories.

Peace, Hope & Faith

MariWari