Weeks have passed and I still cannot bring myself to delete the number from my electronic address book. I don't know why I cannot yet. Perhaps it is because I was not able to attend the funeral and burial. There is a numbness. There is a disturbing numbness that comes from being an ocean away.

Inspire. How does a man inspire ambition to seek those absurd dreams?

At a decisive crossroad a teenage boy must have guidance from those older who have experience to back their words. Such a rich life of friends. A full life of experiences. A full heart.

When Cordel breathed in for the final inhalation before crossing over I only have one wish, one hope:

For Cordel to comfortably sink into a down pillow of death that felt not frightening, but promising.

Life cannot end in this world. What a horrible plot that would be.

Surely Cordel will be repaid now for the time he spent on me, nurturing me.
Surely Cordel will be repaid for the lives he has blessed.

Surely.
Certainly.

Take care, Cordel. I love you.