Joe had a best friend growing up. His name was Brian Hovey. They met when Joe was 4, and remained best friends until almost 4 years ago when Brian was tragically killed while on his way to graduate school in Colorado.
Brian would have turned 29 last week. We got together with his family and a few other close friends to celebrate Brian's life. We laughed a lot, we cried a little, and we remembered Brian.
Brian's mom, Dian, has always collected Precious Moments figurines. His sister, Renee was published here telling her story of how Precious Moments continues to bless their lives after Brian's passing with figurines such as "Lord, I'm Coming Home" and "Until We Meet Again". Renee promised her mom that there would be no more sad ones. However, as we celebrated what would have been Brian's 29th birthday, Renee gave her mom one last "sad" Precious Moment figurine.
We still miss Brian. We still wonder why he was taken at such a young age. But we remember him and know that we'll see him again! This poem by David Harkins (which I believe was read by Renee at his funeral) is a great tribute to our friend (and Parker Brian's namesake)!
He Is Gone
You can shed tears that he is gone
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he’s gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
or you can do what he’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Brian would have turned 29 last week. We got together with his family and a few other close friends to celebrate Brian's life. We laughed a lot, we cried a little, and we remembered Brian.
Brian's mom, Dian, has always collected Precious Moments figurines. His sister, Renee was published here telling her story of how Precious Moments continues to bless their lives after Brian's passing with figurines such as "Lord, I'm Coming Home" and "Until We Meet Again". Renee promised her mom that there would be no more sad ones. However, as we celebrated what would have been Brian's 29th birthday, Renee gave her mom one last "sad" Precious Moment figurine.
We still miss Brian. We still wonder why he was taken at such a young age. But we remember him and know that we'll see him again! This poem by David Harkins (which I believe was read by Renee at his funeral) is a great tribute to our friend (and Parker Brian's namesake)!
He Is Gone
You can shed tears that he is gone
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he’s gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
or you can do what he’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
We miss you, Brian!
6 comments:
So crazy! I really wonder why when things happen like this.
That's neat you guys get together and have a little stroll down memory lane. What a great tribute.
It seems like it was just yesterday. Good friends are not soon forgotten.
P.S. Your hair looks really cute! (Did I say that?)
It's weird to think that you could just be saying goodbye to someone while assuming you will see them again and then never see them again. I think it is shocking because you never really expect something like that. I am sorry your husband lost his good friend. That is very sad. I'm sure his family and friends miss him very much. He looks and sounds like he was a nice guy.
I love that poem. It really hits the heart of a situation like this. Thank you for sharing it.
I remember how shocking and sad it was when it happened. I think it's amazing how much closer it has made all of his friends and family with one another. If I die, I want you to celebrate my life like that...okay?! Dramatic, I know, I know!
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