This week has been many things, most of which I hope to never experience again. In trying to find the positives though, I can’t help but appreciate that this tragedy produced what will surely be some of my happier moments of 2012. Seeing and talking to so many old friends has been such a comfort and I know others feel the same way. This reunion is amazing because everyone is acting the way Brice would have acted. There are no enemies or sore spots keeping hugs from happening, there is no avoiding people or walking the other way. Love is there for all to share and it flows freely through every room of every house where people are gathered to celebrate the life of a truly extraordinary young man.
I’m sad that Brice isn’t here to share this with us on our plain of existence, but I can imagine him wherever he is sitting back proudly and being pleased with what his death has done. Countless friendships have been rekindled, rebuilt, newly created or strengthened forever. I wish this could have happened naturally, without us having to lose Brice, but it didn’t. The way I’ve seen it handled by everyone though is amazing. Maybe I’m not giving enough credit to the fact that we’re all adults now, but I really am impressed by the amount of support being given to anyone who needs it at any specific moment. There is always a shoulder, always a tissue, always a friend ready to tell you that it’s going to be alright. Despite the sorrow, the grief, the horribleness of what happened; I truly believe that in time everything will be alright.
I lost a good friend this week, but what I’ve gained is so valuable. Not just a new perspective, not just friendships old and new, but a complete picture of what love and faith can do for us when we need them most. Today I can move forward knowing in full confidence that we’re all there for each other when it really matters, and that goodness will always be greater. They say in sports “no pain, no gain.” I feel a lot of pain right now, but…well, until last Sunday I couldn’t have written this or anything else. The very smallest of gifts atop a mountain of others, thanks buddy for clearing up the writers’ block.