when you're old enough to live, you're old enough to die...

yesterday my 16 year old cousin passed away. we were the same age, i was just a couple months older. it came so sudden, and yet we all knew one day he'd get into some sort of accident. he's the reckless type, kind of a daredevil.

he was on his way to school on is four-wheeler when he was struck by a car on the highway. with life support keeping him alive, his brain kept swelling and the organs were shutting down. they couldn't save anything.

when i arrived at school that morning, he hadn't passed away yet. but i couldn't say anything. i wasn't allowed to tell my other family members who were still in the school.

even worse, all the staff and teachers who did know, looked at me with that sympathetic look as if he was already dead. i couldn't concentrate, i couldn't breathe, and i couldn't talk.

i had my first appointment to donate blood yesterday. i was on the steps in front of our school waiting for my mom to pick me up when the vice principal brought me into his office. it's like my hearing stopped. i saw the words form on his mouth "He passed away..." but i couldn't respond with anything heartfelt or appropriate to say. i just stood there.

when you're old enough to live, your old enough to die.
Dante
December 4, 1994 - March 23, 2011

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- John 14:27



the only photo i could find of us three "same age" cousins, taken about 4 years ago. left - britni. middle - dante. right - myself.