Five Years Ago Today

I can remember it vividly. March 14, 2008 I had checked my cell before leaving for school. There was a text from K. It said: "Not going to be at school today. Mom's in the ICU." I texted her back that if she needed me, I'd be just a text away. She thanked me and that was all that was said that day.

Jump to the next day, I'm sitting in first period choir. We're spread around the room so our choir director could make sure we each knew our voice parts. I remember jumping as my cell vibrated in my pocket. I slipped my phone out of my pocket & checked the text. There it was. The text that would forever change K's life & begin to strengthen our friendship.

It's over. She's gone. She's in Heaven now. Please don't tell anyone.

I sat in my seat, stunned, mindlessly still singing along to our songs. Yet my mind was racing. How do I respond to that? How do I help her? I had never really experienced a death. I mean, yeah...my step-grandfather and my uncle passed away when I was younger, but I didn't really have to deal with it. Yes, I mourned their passings, but I was seven/eight years old. I didn't really remember it.

I remember walking around school for the rest of the day in some sort of a daze. Teachers would ask where she was and showed concern that she had missed so many days. I'd wait until every class was over and the classroom was empty and go up to whichever teacher it was and tell them that K's mom had passed earlier that morning and she wouldn't be back in school for awhile.

I remember my dad picking me up from my after school musical rehearsal and breaking down in the car. I told him that her mother had passed away & he asked if I wanted to tell mom or have him tell her. You see, K's mom and my mom used to work together when we were younger. I remember walking into the backroom and Momma sitting on the computer. I remember looking at her with tears in my eyes and breaking down in a sob as I told her that K's mom was no longer with us.

I texted K every day to make sure she was okay, to let her know that I was still here for her. I hate that she lost her mother, especially at such a crucial time in her life. We've become closer because of this. Sure, it's a bad thing to go through, but it strengthened our friendship. In that moment, we went from just being friends to being sisters. That moment, my parents unofficially adopted her.

It's been five years, but Momma Tramil has been smiling down on us from Heaven. God has a beautiful angel. ♥