always.

in memory of aj cina, who would have been thirteen today.

only the good die young.

it's awful,
really,
how it can take an entire human life
for us to see how good we have it.

simple things,
like the way he smiled,
those are what people miss.

funny how no one seemed to notice that smile,
really, truly, notice and appreciate it,
til it was gone.

funny how we are still able to smile.

funny,
how face
after face
after face
won't get to smile
because of one little mistake.

one little thing can have the hugest effect imaginable.

that one little thing was meant to teach us,
the lucky ones.

that little thing will follow us throughout our entire lives,
always reminding us that he is watching,
and god had to take him just to remind us
life is not given.

it's earned.

he earned it, he really did.

he earned it, but it wasn't enough.

his story will be told for years to come,
as we come to heal.

his story will always be there,
always riding our backs and always,
always,
making us wish it had been one of us.

god chose him because he knew his smile would be missed.

i miss your smile, aj.

we all do.

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