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"Yes, you can lose somebody overnight, yes, your whole life can be turned upside down. Life is short. It can come and go like a feather in the wind." - Shania Twain

The room was filled with quiet chatter. Groups of people, all in black, sat around the large room. You couldn't quite hear what was being spoken but you knew by the looks on their faces. They spoke in that small undertone voice when trying to be quiet but still wanting to be heard. Chairs were lined in rows of five, one in equal distance to the next. Bouquets of flowers lined the walls in various heights giving off that distinct scent that makes your nose curl up. A large wooden cross hung from a wall on the far end of the room; under it sat an older lady, her head hung low and cupped into her hands, a rosary beaded through her fingers.

A wood casket sat at the front of the room. The peaceful sleeping face of a teenager facing up to his Creator; his hands laid gently on his chest and fingers nails still dirty from the weekend work on cars with his father. A red flannel button down, his favorite covered his still body, to keep him warm on his journey. Different items were being laid to rest with him: pictures of friends, sisters, cousins - company, I assumed, and so he could remember their faces, as we would always remember his. Someone had put a toothbrush there for him - apparently they thought personal hygiene was equally as important in Heaven. Only special people were able to see his face one last time. A young girl of about 12 sat in the front row of chairs, she fell to her knees at her last goodbye. The breath sucked out of her lungs, mouth open but no sound. The tears came later when she was able to pick her self back up into the loving and protective arms of her mother who kept saying, "He is here. He is watching over you."

They sent him away with tears of grief and sadness, tears of love and faith, tears of hope that one day they would again hear his infectious laugh, and see his sandy blonde hair and bright smile that filled a room with so much warmth that it was hard to ignore.

15 years later we know you are still watching over us, Nicholas. We find your feathers and know you are walking next to us, quietly holding our hands and guiding our paths. You are every where - we breathe you in every morning when we are blessed to open our eyes and take in another day.

Today we celebrate your life, though short it was full of everything one could ever hope for.

Rest in peace, Nicholas.