My mornings were fulfilled when we would encounter one another. He was 6'7" with pale white skin and crystal blue eyes. His smile would lighten me up brighter than a,christmas tree. His lovely smile and precious hugs were so gentle and kind. There was nothing more I could ever ask for in a friend. His honesty, loyalty, and silliness was all I ever wanted in a companion, boy was I lucky. His name is Michael Joseph Nolan, and I lost him a year ago today, on October 9, 2015.

A week before his death Mr. and Mrs. Nolan came to my job on a weekday. I didn't happen too be there that day, but when I looked at the schedule of patients we had during the week I recognized the last name. I got so excited and I left my mind a note to call my friend Michael when I had the chance. I never got to make that phone call. The only encounter close to Michael on a mobile device, was when my brother called me and told me, my friend has been shot.

It was early morning. Before saying grace, and thanking the lord for that new day, I screamed in disbelief, "WHY! NO! NO! NOT MIKE!" I kept asking the lord why did this happen. I remember not caring about anything else in the world but getting to where he was in that moment. I left my house, and my whole way to the hospital I prayed so much. I kept convincing myself that everything was fine, it was just a minor accident. I kept telling myself he's a fighter, he's strong, he's going to be ok. I got to the hospital and the security already knew where I was heading. She just simply told me the floor he was on, nothing more. As I waited in the elevator for his floor, I prayed for healing of his wounds. What a moment I would never want to go back to. The elevator opened and my entire high school was in the waiting area. The first person I saw was his older brother Jimmy. His face was so pale, he looked so frightened, all I wanted to do was snap my fingers and change the situation. As I hugged him, I imagined I was hugging Mike. I missed him so much. Jimmy told me, that Michael had been shot several times, and one of the bullets reached his head.

Michael Nolan fought for his life, a life that was so precious and valuable not only to him, but to his beloved family and friends. I had so much faith throughout this tragic time in my life. I watched my friend fight for wins during his baseball, and basketball games, all throughout high school. This time I was watching him fight to win a battle that only god had control of. The last moment I had with Michael, was with his older brother jimmy, that was on October 9th, 2015. He was gone. I was in a room that felt so peaceful and quiet externally, but inside of our hearts was so much rage, and sadness. I was crushed to pieces on this day. I grabbed his hand and told him how much I loved him. The worse part of it all, was that he never replied back to me.

For those reading my article, from my genuine heart, those you love must be reminded all the time, even on the bad days, because you never know when their last breath will be. An entire year has gone by and I still wonder why I didn't call Michael on this night. I know if I would've called him, he would have been with me and not at the wrong place at the wrong time. I tell myself all the time I should've told him how much he meant to me. Its terribly sad when someone special goes to heaven, because you think of all the blessings they brought into your life, and all the memories you've shared, and it makes you want all of it back. A strong, athlete, loving son, brother, and friend met heaven, and I want it all back.