I lost my nephew last month. It was sudden. It was tragic. I don’t even really feel comfortable writing about him or this because I feel like it’s an attempt to encapsulate all he means to me in one post.

In his short time on this earth, he lived so much life. Over the last couple of years he really started coming into his own after a rough start in his early adulthood. I think it was the birth of his son that really motivated him to turn his life around and really give his future a shot. The thought of him not being able to see the future he was building is a punch to the gut. I remember the day he was born, I was taken out of class in 6th grade so I could be there when my sister gave birth. I had no idea what it would mean to be an uncle, but Kerry showed me. He brought so much joy into my life, and I’m seriously going to miss him until I’m unable to miss anything or anybody. Although he was more than a decade younger than me, I found his exuberance inspiring. I loved being the recipient of his many questions, and was honored that he thought of me when he had them.

There’s so much more I want to say about him, but it still wouldn’t be enough. What I will say is that I’ll do my best to make the most of the time I have left in this world. It’s what he would have wanted, and I owe him that much. Miss you, and love you forever, Kerry. Rest up.

My nephew the day he was born. Big thanks to my sister for letting me get this close to her newborn with a Game Boy Camera.