If you could bring one person that has passed away back for one last conversation, who would it be? I'm not too sure I could pick just one person to see again if I could. Only because a bunch of loved ones in my family have passed in such a short time period. With that being said, I would love nothing more than to see my Papaw one more time!

When I became a teenager it seemed that people were passing away left and right. As for anyone it would be shocking, but for me it was shockingly new. I knew everyone would pass away eventually, but when I was little I don't recall even going to one funeral. Then as soon as I started high school, out of nowhere, my Papaw got very ill. He was the strong, quite type, never complained or shed a tear. So therefore not a soul knew he was as sick as he was. Until one night, when there was no way he could take anymore, he finally went to the Emergency Room.

That stormy summer night, a piece of my heart left forever. See, my Papaw was the roots to our family tree, and without roots how could we continue to stand? It was supposed to be my first summer as a high school student, sleepovers, parties, and late nights. Instead I was depressed and withdrawn, just left picking up the broken pieces of my family's heart.

My Papaw was the reason his children and grandchildren flourished in many aspects of our lives. He was always helping others push to meet their goals! Encouragement is what he gave us and perseverance is what he taught us! I assume that's why his death hit me like a ton of bricks. Wasn't he supposed to push through? He could make it through this, heck, he made it through a whole lot more! Little did I know, that life is unfair. So, I learned that life is short and we are most certainly not promised tomorrow.

His life taught me to go after what I want and to never give up. Living life to its fullest and to never look back is what his death taught me. Although it has been many years my heart still hurts and grieves your absence. I still find myself looking for you at Mamaws house. I even call your old phone sometimes just to hear the voice mailbox. Life without you is definitely different, it hasn't and won't ever be the same.

I love you, my Guardian Angel.