Celebrate Life

8.11.2014

Two years ago this month the world lost of one the sweetest souls that I have ever met when tragedy struck and one of my very best friends from high school passed away. His death was sudden and was heart wrenching. He didn't deserve to die. He was so young and still had so much to offer this world. 

His death brought together friends who had long moved away from our hometown and resurfaced memories that will last a lifetime. We made it a promise to him and to each other that we would celebrate his life rather than celebrate his death. The days after his passing were hard. Do you know how heartbreaking it is to see men, men who you have known since elementary school, sobbing into your arms? It's a pain that I never care to relive. But through the tears and the pain, there was celebration. There were toasts made in his honor and there were Tom Petty songs playing through the jukebox all night long. And even for just an instant, there was laughter. Laughter at the sweet, sweet memories that we shared together. 

It doesn't seem possible that a full two years have already gone by. For those who were closest with him, the wounds are just are fresh today as they were two years ago. Two years later, we still choose to celebrate the life of an incredible friend rather than mourn his early passing. Last week a group of friends celebrated his life by taking his mom out to dinner and laughing at the memories we still hold so near and dear to our hearts.
His death, as painful as it was and still is, should be a testimony to us all

Celebrate life. 

Celebrate today because you were given life. Celebrate tomorrow in honor of someone who no longer can. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and accomplishments. Celebrate the little things and celebrate the large. There is so much beauty in this world worth celebrating. 


"Life is short, but sweet for certain..." - DMB
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11 comments:

  1. I know that feeling of grown men you've known since you were little sobbing into your arms...for the same reason. Losing friends is never easy...especially when they're so young. You've got a great outlook though :)

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  2. This is such an amazing post, I LOVE that you all come together every year to celebrate him, and of course that you even included his mom.
    You are such an awesome person Morgan, and you have a great group of friends!

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  3. I'm so sorry for your loss! How wonderful that y'all took his mom out to dinner, I'm sure she really appreciated that! :) I know the feeling you're talking about with men you've known your whole life crying in your arms... so hard!! I've recently had quite a few friends' parents pass away and their funerals have been so hard!! :(

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  4. So very true. It has been 7 years since my friend Sean died and I still feel the same exact way. We celebrate his life in the exact same way!

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  5. So sorry for your loss--but how amazing it is to celebrate the beauty of life. I am certain that it means the world to his mama to have yall spend quality time with her.

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  6. I'm so sorry you all had to go through something so difficult but I'm glad you all have each other! Continue to celebrate! And thank you for reminding us that it's important to be thankful and cherish everything.

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  7. I am sorry for your loss. It is always hard to lose people in life, but it really hits close to home when it is someone your own age who is taken so unexpectedly.

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  8. This is haunting and beautiful. The pain may ease at times, but it never truly goes away, especially when you care deeply for them.

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  9. Thank you my sweet girl for writing about Donald and about our time together on your blog. To all who read this post and the comments, I am Donald's MOM, aka Ms. Kat. The opportunity to spend a few hours with Donald's friends last week was wonderful. They have been with me throughout this sad journey and I know they will be with me forever. I love them all. Love you, my sweet Morgan!

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  10. and now here I am crying because of this post, what a wonderful tribute to your friends life. All you can do is celebrate and remember memories.

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  11. This post is amazing! I didn't start hanging out with Donald until we got to Auburn, when I realized what a sweet soul he truly was. Can't believe it's been two years, but so glad to see that his closest friends are still celebrating his life! Love this <3

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