Dear Friend,

This past week has been a wild ride, huh? I was completely paralyzed when I heard the news. I was just walking to my car from a worship band practice at my church when a youth leader told me. I never in my wildest, darkest dreams thought I would receive news that you passed away.

I'm still numb to it all. I mean just last week you were living life to the fullest and by what your closest friends and family said, you were improving. You had moved back with your mother and step-dad, had a full-time job, started your own photography business, and truly invested in your friends. You just made one mistake.

I remember when we first met. It was at the youth group at church. You were standing off to the corner observing everyone - you loved to just soak everything in. I saw you and figured you needed someone to talk to, so I walked over and said hi. From then on, we were close. We texted each other constantly and always looked for a way to meet up at church together because we both couldn't drive yet. You confided in me, but not more than I did. It seemed like every day I was texting you and asking for advice on some latest "dilemma".

Unfortunately, we grew up. We went our separate ways. I stayed, and you moved. We eventually stopped speaking, as do most people when long distance separates them. However, I never stopped believing in you. For you to turn you life back around, to come back home, and to become the man and friend I treasured.

We both went through our struggles. I lost a grandmother, you lost your father and uncle. We lived in totally separate worlds and lived opposite lives. But I always prayed for you. I knew you were a good man that just needed to find your way again.

You made a mistake though. Once you had your life back on track, you made a mistake. You took a prescription that wasn't yours, and you found out just how human we all are.

I went to your memorial service like I knew you would for me. Even though we hadn't spoken in years, I still wanted to go. I cried. You knew that I'm not a crying person, but I cried. I saw all the pictures and remembered our wonderful moments together. How I thought of you as my uncle because I thought you looked just like him. You played along, even though it's one of the stupidest things.

Now you're gone, all because of one mistake. You were one of the smartest guys I knew, but you made a dumb mistake. Even though it hurts that you're gone, I choose to remember the good moments we had together. Moments of us hanging out until late into the night at church laughing and acting like we were related. Moments of us then proceeding to text and sometimes call each other and talk until I fell asleep on you.

In light of all this, I choose to remember you not as how you passed away or the low moments in your life, but how you would do anything for your friends, even give them the shirt off your back. You were a great friend, brother-in-Christ, and uncle.

I will always remember you.

Love your niece,

Kaylee