It is incredible how distance and busyness can rob a person of time. I have wanted to talk to you for a while. I really did. But as life progressed on, things would come up. School, work, or a host of other distractions would win the day and keep me away. Some of those things I pursued were good things and others, not so much. No matter the value of my endeavors, the result stayed the same. Our days apart turned into years of separation, and the talks I once enjoyed were now just distant memories.
There is so much I would like to say. I did not get to tell you how much I missed you. I did not say how much I missed seeing you smile. That beautiful smile that radiates from your soul and beams out of you. I missed your personality. I missed the jokes, the laughs, and the pure joy to which you could fill a room. I missed my friend. From the moment my family moved back to Canton in first grade, I had you accompanying through the journey of school. We were not in the same circles of friends, but knowing that you were on the same path brought me comfort. It helped me not feel alone.
Even though you have been called home, I will carry thoughts of you with me. I will remind the next generation of you. To see the girl I grew up with become the woman you are is an absolute blessing. I am so proud of you, Adri and because of that, I will tell Nati of her cousin Adrian. I will say to her of how strong, bold, amazing of a woman you are so that she can have another great woman to look up to. I will tell the next generation the parts of your story that I know so that your impact will not just stop with me but will continue to bless others as long as the Lord allows.
One day, I will get to see you again. I look forward to the day you get to introduce me to Abraham, my older brother. I look forward to that day when I will get to join you where pain and sorrow have ended. I look forward to going with you before the throne of God, who loves us dearly, to worship him to the limits of our ability. One day we will see each other again so I will not say a final goodbye. That sounds so permanent for a tempory moment of separation. I say that because even if the Lord keeps me here for another 80 years, that is just a moment compared to eternity with our amazing God. Therefore I will not say goodbye. Instead, I will say talk to you later, Adri, I will see you soon!
Love
Andy
