I inhale the tears 
welling up in my eyes.
Feeling like I don't have 
the right to cry for 

letting so much time go by
without saying hi,
how are you doing, 
what's new in your life?

I "kept in touch" 
watching your 
adventures
on social media, 

restoring 
power
after a 
hurricane, 

providing water 
and food for 
people who didn't 
know your name.

I was proud of you,
but you never knew
beyond a heart 
on your page. 

Days turn to weeks,
weeks turn to years
then poof, you are 29
and no longer here.  

Like touching ungrounded metal
wired to electricity,
we feel the shock
throughout our body. 

Now as family, friends, 
co-workers and complete 
strangers come in droves 
to pay final respects

we are in awe  
hearing stories 
about you that 
we never knew...

how you 
checked in 
with your mom 
every day,

how you 
were the first
to volunteer 
during an emergency,

how you 
worked long hours,
then cooked for and 
comforted your friends,

how you 
took the 
homeless in,

how you 
provided Christmas 
presents to 
families in need. 

Everyone 
who knew you 
had only good 
things to say.

How you 
were a gentle giant
come to save
the day. 

What a powerful lesson 
to those of us who 
get busy in life 
and live vicariously.

Personal connection,

compassion, kindness,

and unconditional love

is the best legacy.