Always my brother, forever my friend.

I lost a very important person in my life recently, my cousin Tomas. His death has left such a gaping hole in our lives that my only way to cope with it was to write it all down.

here is that anguish turned into words...

Tomas

I want to say thank you. 

Thank you for all the lives you’ve made brighter, all the people you’ve made smile and laugh and the family you made proud.

When I was a child, you were my brother. The boy who taught me how to play and laugh and smile. The boy who shared in all my childish antics, you were my partner in crime.  You taught me how to ride my first bike, how to play football. We spent summer days in the water and the trees, winter days in the snow and everyday in between playing games of make believe and adventure.

When I became a teenager, you were my protector. The man who saved me from the bullies of life and who always reminded me how smart I was, that one day I would be the boss of all those bullies. You watched out for me like only family does. And as I grew, you took your step back and let me become my own person.

When I went to college, you told me how proud you were of me, that you always knew id go far. But by then I was an adult and it became my turn to be proud of you. You went to start a new life in America. Your dream come through. Still playing the great game, you knew just how to impress everyone on both sides of the Atlantic.

And even though I grew up and didn’t need you as much, you never gave up your protective ways.

You were always the brother, the protector, the friend to your sisters and brothers.

You treated Tara and Claire like princesses, the two most important girls in your life. You always watched over them like their white knight, ready to jump in and rescue them when things in life got too scary.

You treated Eunan and Daryl like little men, mini versions of yourself. You were a role model for them, someone they could always look up to. 

You were a son that any mother would be proud of.  A friend that anybody would be glad to call their best.

You will always be a brother, a friend, a protector and a son. You have done such good in your life.

 And even though it fills our hearts with pain and our lives with sorrow in the here and now, we have to hold on and know that you will continue to do good.

You will always be an influence, someone that people can look up to and respect.

 You will always remind people of the true value of friendship and how important family is.

And even though the world only got but a brief wink of time with you, if we can look back on it and smile or laugh or share a funny story then that time was the most precious gift and we should all be grateful for it.

Tomas, I love you dearly. Sleep tight, dearest cousin, sweetest son, loving brother, and best friend.