Those Passed On

I am a young man, 19 years old, and I have lost many, many people in my short life. The loss has been primarily to moving around so much, but I've had several people move on from this life, and seeing as it is Samhain, I'd like to honor their memory.

Nancy Lynn Warren (Davis)

My mother with my sister

This is my mother. She passed away when she was 24. During her life she bore myself, my sister, and my little brother and was a wonderful mother. She was bright and crafty, and often experimented in her cooking from trying out applesauce pancakes to corn-flake chicken. She was a bright woman, a loving mother, and was my Legend of Zelda buddy. I miss her deeply. 

Paul Warren

(no picture available) 

My Uncle, he was a proud father of three and an avid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fan and a Mixed Martial Arts fan. He left behind two sons to carry on his legacy, a daughter, and a loving wife. I remember being at his house when I found out my mother had passed away, I remember him inviting us over for pool parties, and I remember him introducing us to the Grand Theft Auto video games. 

 Cody Warren

(no picture avaliable) 

My cousin, he was a bright young man who was loved by his family and friends. My memories of him are not as abundant as I had hoped, but he was a bright and funny guy who knew how to have a good time. Very optimistic, and had a love for life

Eula Faye Russel(Gose) and Joseph Theodore Russel 

My Great-Grandmother and Great-Grandfather

I never got to meet my Great-Grandfather as he died before I was born, but I am told he was a hard-working and industrious man. He was entirely devoted to his wife and children and to making a better life for them. My Great-Grandmother was a stern and loving woman in her adult years and a loving and kind Grandmother in her seniority. I recall seeing her face light up with joy when my siblings and I would go visit her and I fondly remember her obese chihuahua that she adored so much. She was deeply committed to her faith. 

These are my people, my family. I do not know if I will see them when I die, but these are the people I honor, with my thoughts, my actions, and my life. 

I miss them all, so very much. 

Shrine to Dionysus

Saying Good-Bye

On Sunday, one of my best friends moved 250 miles away.

Now, I have lost a lot of people in my short life, on top of my countless moves growing up (I estimate between 17-20) I have had an uncle, a cousin, and my mother die. I am no stranger to losing people, yet I feel that it never gets easier, especially whenever the person had been a bit more than a friend for a solid chunk of time. Now, I find myself, once again, depressed over the loss of somebody I care about, the distance isn't insurmountable, but I used to look forward to our weekend visits as a means to relieve stress. On occasion I find myself thinking "well, at least I'll get to hang out with [anon] this weekend" then I bluntly remember, no, they have moved away.

Of course, moments like these aren't all loss. I am grateful for the time we had together and the things I learned about myself. It was not time wasted and despite the feelings I have now due to the attachment I had, I don't regret any of it. People come, and they go, and all we can do is be grateful for their presence in our lives and learn from them.

Of course I am feeling. . .more than a bit rough, but it reinforces the lesson, the Gods don't abandon you whenever you are down, and without the Gods I don't have a clue how I would be right now.