They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

– Author Unknown

The past year taught me many things, but nothing prepared me for losing you. Losing someone as good as you, a friend, a mentor, the person that gave me wings.

When I heard the news that you were gone, I knew what grief was, and it was something that I didn’t really know until I experienced it. It was something that was mine, it was my grief, unique like a fingerprint, an imprint on my life. Personal, in a way that was hard to share with others.

Everyone at the funeral loved you so much. When we talked about you, everyone knew you. We knew what you would appreciate about the speeches, the way that you would tease us, what you would think-like you were right next to us.

I think we were all just grateful for each other, for the love that was there for you, I know that I’m really grateful for them.

We were in awe of you — your sharpness, quick wit, thoughtfulness, conviction, and character — and the way you pursued what you loved, with such a high standard that it excelled you to the very top. Perhaps one of your greatest achievements- the room was filled with love and high regard, a palpable force that stood out even amidst the shock and bitter sadness.

People described you as a gruff, somewhat intimidating figure upon initial meeting, and then that you would seemingly thaw and be as warm and loving, like a teddy bear (for lack of a better way to put it).

Once your friends knew you-once I knew you, I felt like I left every interaction self-assured, strong, braver; a better person. Talking to you felt like cleaning out the gutter in my head. You were so right with yourself, stable and sure in your judgement and with your values, it emulated and gave people strength. You were such an incredible person and character, and you made all of your friends feel appreciated, lifted up, like they were a treasure. and I don’t think anyone felt that they earned that level of unwavering friendship, it was enough to transform people.

~

There are three distinct points of time now, there was a time when our paths crossed and we were in each other’s lives for seven years, there was a time before I knew you and now, a new time- a time after you.

Now, I’m thinking what you would do and think in my shoes; I’m looking at my life through your eyes. I have an obligation to make something beautiful from this; of my life.

I’ll find something I love and I will do it and become really truly excellent, I will be better with other people and relationships, be like you. I’ll try to make them feel the way that you made me feel. I’ll learn and go as far as possible in aviation, on the runway you laid out for me.

You are the greatest lesson of my life-one of the best things that came into it. Didn’t I get lucky to know you? I got to know you, I got to have to in my life when so many others didn’t — how lucky am I? I want you to know that as long as I’m around, your impact will be felt. And I’ll always love you and hold you close to my heart, don’t worry.

“Enjoy life; this is not a rehearsal.” -Shel