Unfortunately, the bad thing about getting older is that you realize you can't live forever. This past week I lost my cousin, Eddie - the oldest cousin I have, but still "young" to me. I grew up during the era where families got together every weekend for Sunday dinner. We always played kickball in the backyard while our grandma finished prepping the meal. When Eddie got older, he lived next door to us with my grandma and uncle while he took classes at the community college. I remember driving down to Fort Leonard Wood with my dad and uncle to see Eddie when he was stationed there for basic training (before he was shipped off to Vietnam). I don't necessarily feel sad about his dying - we all have to go some time. But it's hard losing such a large part of your childhood. I will miss him.
