Farewell, My Friend

Yesterday I was alarmed and saddened to see a sudden memorial page set up for my dear friend, Justin Allen Kinnaird, on Facebook. While it's true I hadn't seen Justin for years, there was a time he was precious and important to my every day life and I knew when our paths crossed again it would be like not a day had passed since we'd last seen each other.

Justin was one of those people who made you feel like you were the only person who mattered. His very smile lit up a room and he always left you feeling better about yourself just for spending time with him. His light and brightness were infectious and I dare say that you'd be hard pressed to find anyone speak an ill word of him. Everyone loved Justin and Justin loved everyone.

He was beautiful and kind and important. He made you feel valuable just because you were you. There are very few people I've met in my life who made me feel as beautiful and loved and adored as a friend as Justin did. But it wasn't just me; he made everyone feel like that.

It's funny - despite not seeing him for so long, I feel this empty space on the earth as though someone wonderful is missing from it. His presence was that wide-spread and any glance at the myriad of comments on his own FB page, as well as the memorial page set up by his family, will mirror my small words.

I loved you, Justin, and appreciated your friendship and your magical sense of being. 

R.I.P. my dear, sweet friend. 

My deepest condolences to your family and friends. We will miss you.