In Memoriam

Note: In the U.S., Memorial Day is traditionally about honoring veterans. I do want to post about my grandfather's WWII service at some point. But I wrote this last week, and it just seeemed the appropriate day to share it.

The song Homesick, by MercyMe, has been posted about a lot recently. For those of you who don't know it, it's about being homesick for heaven, homesick for the people we won't see again until then. For those of you who do know it, you probably have a specific person you think of when you hear it. For me, it's my cousin Kevin.

It's been three months since we lost him, but sometimes, it's like my heart is being broken all over again. Maybe it's because his little sister Alisa is about to graduate, and she'll have to make her way through her life, always in his shadow. Or when I look at Austin, so full of life and promise, so much hope for the future, so much in the now. I know I'll see him again. I know that. But I can't help thinking that I want him here. I want him back here on earth, back in the life that he loved so much and lived to the fullest. When Kevin died, it tore me apart in a way nothing has before. I don't think anything else ever could. But I do know where he is. He's happy with his Savior, and he's laughing.

So Godspeed to you, my Kevin- we're going to have some fun when I get up there. And I hope you know just how much you are still loved. Always, my cousin, always. I've never been more homesick than now....