Memoir for Colin

 I keep hoping that this is a nightmare. Something I can wake up from and you'll be back. I know we weren't close and I haven't really spoken to you in years, but this feels surreal. I guess every death feels that way... I remember I dreamt that you got better and I hugged you. You thanked me for being a good friend and those words were reciprocated to you... I remember I had that dream for my little cousin, Chloe too. I dreamt she was never sick. We hugged and played like I always longed to before she was too fragile... I feel like grief has taken a hold of my heart and I never know when it'll squeeze it. Sometimes I see posts from your mom on Facebook or a picture of you skating... it's sad. Another life cut tragically short. I would've loved to see you settle down, get married, and raise kids... I know it wasn't something that you were looking for before you died... I guess I can't help but wonder who you'd be today had you survived... would you be more cautious? Would you voice your regrets? I have no doubt you'd still be stubborn. The doctors would tell you to be careful and to rest, but you'd be at the skate park with your friends. I think of you often. Every time I'm outside and I see someone on a skateboard or when I'm riding my bike... whenever I watch Dragonball Super or any anime for that matter because I only watch them in Japanese. Luckily now I have the option to watch them with subtitles, we didn't have that in Japan... Thank you again for the memories...

I remember going to restaurants and playing games; I remember birthday parties and playing outside; I remember jumping on your family's trampoline and learning judo after your surgery; I remember racing bikes, trading cards, collecting cards, swimming in the ocean, our families camping together, and catching a giant crab in a bucket to give to my mother... 💔😭💔😭💔😭 You were one of my first best friends and I never ever forgot you. Thank you for being you. I never forgot your stubbornness. When others would try to tease you, you always stood up for yourself. I remember hearing about your bad car accident and the doctors advised you to give up skateboarding, but you never did. When others tried to make an unfair trade (with or dbz cards) you called them out on it. You always knew who you were and you always made sure things were fair. I don't remember fighting with Brian so much in Japan and maybe that's because you were the mediator. I know you were Brian's best friend but you were mine too. Thank you for choosing us all those years ago. I loved having you for a friend. 

Enough is enough!

America stands for freedom... but what are we free from? We have free speech so we're not free from bullying. Even as adults. It happens in the workplace or the gas station by complete strangers. Freedom of religion? Sure, but strangers are going to knock on your door to persuade you to join theirs. Freedom to bear arms? Sure. It'll only cost you the lives of your children. Let that sink in for a moment.  The children whose last moments were panic. Their safety stripped away, their bubble broken into because of your pride. Was is it enough? When will it be enough? How many innocent lives must be lost until it's enough? We claim to be prolife but seriously what are we doing to protect our living children? How many more mothers, fathers, siblings, aunts, and uncles need to live in fear before we say enough? When are we all going to agree that this is enough?! It should've been enough yesterday! Last month! The last shooting! So let's start now! Let today be enough! Let's protect our children! Our brother's children! Our sister's children! Our neighbor's children! Let's put aside our differences and say enough is enough! No more guns! Stricter gun laws! We keep saying guns aren't the problem but clearly they are! They're too easily accessible! You can buy them, strip them down, and build your own now. If that doesn't frighten you, it should! There has to be a time when our children are more important than our pride! Let that day be today! Something has gotta change! Let's protect the children! Let's start today by saying enough is enough! Protect the children!