Monday, April 7, 2008

Gone But Not Forgotten

I thought about writing this when I was on facebook, so I wrote a note and this is the exact copy of it. Lazy? perhaps but I just wanted to make it available to everyone on here as well.

Today marks the 6th anniversary of my friend Travis McCorkle passing away. It is strange to me, it seems so long ago but at the same time I remember it like it was yesterday. This was an event that was one of the most significant of my high school years, and probably my whole life to date. I remember the funeral so vividly, and why not. It was the first one I've ever been to. A year later I went down by myself to Florence, CO. to see Travis's grave. That sort of broke my heart all over again. His grave stone was adorned with trinkets and trifles from family and friends. One item that I saw that really brought back the memories was Travis's hacky sack, which was lying atop the gravestone. He and I spent a lot of time playing with that thing over the course of two years of working together. It is funny how you can have such a strong association with someone through a toy. I still keep a 2-dollar bill that he gave me one night that made its way into the tips at work. That may seem to be less significant, but when he saw it in the tips he was excited because he collects those. But I asked him if I could have it, and he agreed on the condition that I never use it or give it away. That was one of the last times I ever spoke to Travis. Another strange thought that crossed my mind today was the fact that I am almost as old as Travis was when I met him. I mean in a few years I'll have outlived him, but then again 26 is so young to die. It is amazing to me how someone could leave such an impression on someone who only knew them for a short period of time. Well Travis, today is your day, and you and your family are on my mind. Rest well my friend.