Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Goodbye my friend....

by Brittany Geragotelis

This past Saturday I lost a friend of mine.

Natalia was a beautiful girl. Always smiling whenever I saw her and was the perfect height for hugs (with me). She was sweet and thoughtful and had a cadence to her voice that was unique and soothing. I looked forward to seeing her on a weekly basis and so did the rest of our friends.

Once, when I was having a particularly bad day, she sat there with me, cracking jokes and talking me through it until I felt better. She had a way of making the people she was talking to, feel like they were important.

It's always a great loss when someone you care about, passes. And maybe it's our first instinct to think we should have done more for them while they were alive. But I can't help but worry that she didn't know how much she meant to me and others. Did I do enough to let her know that in life? The last time I saw her, I said "Hello" and asked how she was doing. She seemed distracted, but I let her continue on her way.

Now, I know enough to understand that I'm not powerful enough to change what's meant to be, but I can make sure that I do a better job of letting those around me know I care about them in the future. That I stop and ask people how they're doing and really listen to their answers instead of thinking only about myself and what's going on in my life. Realize that the problems I have today are luxury problems compared to the stuff that others might be going through.

Natalia was a wonderful person and profoundly touched my life in the short time I knew her. She will be sorely missed and thoroughly loved.

5x5,
B.

2 comments:

Michelle said...

If I could give you a hug from the west coast, somehow, I would.

I'm sorry.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I am so behind on your blog and just read this. SO true about wondering if people you know and love KNOW just how much you LOVE them and how much they add to your life. Right before my mom passed, the biggest gift I was given was the few moments to tell her EVERYTHING I wanted to. My advice to anyone is to not have regrets. Say it. No matter how awkward or uncomfortable...no matter what. You will feel better and it is much easier to endure a few minutes of humility and unease than a lifetime of regret. xoxo Say

 
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