Elizabeth Rangel

A friend by your side October 29, 2009

As the third month of my papi’s death is right around the corner, I begin to think of his funeral. The last couple of months I have thought about different things, and struggled to get through so much. Yet today I found myself thinking of his funeral.

I remember the day of his wake we came in early. My two sister’s and I. I walked in and cried when I saw him laying alone, cold in his casket. There was a moment when my two sister’s who were there walked out and I found myself standing there alone. I looked at him and I remember thinking this is what grief feels like. Loving someone so much, yet having to let them go. Having to let so many pieces of them go. My life would never be the same.

Moments later friendly face after friendly face poured into the room. They smiled, they murmered encouraging words, they shared memories, they cried with me, they held me, and I remember thinking before all these people poured into the room, as I stood there alone near my papi, “how the hell am I going to get through this.” Yet with every person that came and went I felt at ease. There were moments where I was even able to smile and encourage my sister’s, my mom, and others who loved my papi. I remember thinking and feeling so much gratitude for friends, and so blessed for family. It was their love and their support that helped get me through this.

What I realized is that there is nothing is this world like a true friend. There is nothing like having a good loving family to hold you and support you when life tries to knock you down.

All my family and friends still continue to help me get through the death of my papi and other life’s obstacles.

I like this line from a Paul McCarthy song ” I get by with a little help from my friends.” Be good to your friends.

Love, peace and happiness to all who enter here.

 

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