Happy birthday Jackie
Today is my friend, Jackie‘s birthday. Jackie passed away last summer from cancer. If he was still here today, he would be turning 26 years old.
I heard you die twice, once when they bury you in the grave
Macklemore
And the second time is the last time that somebody mentions your name
Random insight from Macklemore, but I really do believe in this idea so I try my best not to avoid bringing up Jackie in conversations I have with other people. I like that I am able to talk about him and our memories together. I want to be able to talk about him.
It’s been almost a year since his death and for me, it feels like the year has really flown by. So many things have changed in my life and the lives of our friends. In some ways, I am glad.
I am glad our world didn’t end with the end of his – that new joys have come into our lives, whether we felt guilty about it or not. I think ultimately, he wants all of us to be happy.
I still miss Jackie. I miss having him as a friend to rely on, to laugh at silly things. He would’ve wanted to know how Game of Thrones ended (disappointing so maybe not). He would’ve roasted me for my broken knee. It would’ve just been more fun to have him around.
If you have met Jackie or know him personally, I hope you can all spend some time today to think about him or talk about him. Today doesn’t have to be a sad day. It can be a day of appreciation for Jackie’s existence and all the ways he has touched us one way or another.