"FOURTEEEEN Centimeters!!" The four of us burst out laughing again, not really understanding why Alana, Erick, Ashton and myself find it so funny. This is Ashton's 10th time saying this in a southern accent and we laugh without a single care in the world, not really worried about how loud we are being either.
Very seldom do I think about my childhood and core memories that come along with it. When I say childhood I more so think closer to 8th grade and everything before hand. This is the time of my life when I would hop on my bike and ride any and everywhere... so long as my mom didn't find out how far from home I went. I don't think I consider just how much of a blessing this time of my life was. No bills, no real worries, I don't even think I was stressed about getting a girlfriend yet (which became a headache for myself and all of my friends in 8th/9th grade).
Attached to the blessing of the state of my life were my friends. One in particular, Alana. As adults, I'll be honest I cannot recall our last meaningful conversation. I distinctively remember meeting up at UCF where Alana went to school and us having a pretty serious conversation about our faith. As kids, Alana was one of my first friends that felt the freedom to tell me when I was being an idiot, tell me something I said was insensitive, and tell me that gray on gray was terrible fashion sense. I remember making jokes with her in 7th grade English class, riding my bike with Erick to her place to hangout, and trying to convince her I could sing.
I remember these things now and consider them. Alana has passed away and last week was her 27th birthday. It is sobering to consider. I do however celebrate the fact that I knew Alana, was blessed to grow up with her and call her a friend. I will cherish the childhood memories we have and be blessed by them whenever I think of them and know that it was a privilege to be friends with her.
As for prayer, pray for her family and her close friends that feel this loss oh so much more than I do. Pray for the community we grew up that she had such an impact on with her personality and loving kindness. Pray that people will reflect on the blessing her life was to so many.
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