Reality Check

So, a couple days ago, I ran my mouth off in a blog as usual. I say whatever I feel like without any fear of repercussions. But never in my life have those words felt so trivial.

Yesterday, March 28, 2006, a lifelong friend was taken from us. Katie Prosapio was killed in a horrific car crash. Let me take some time to talk about our friendship and the person she was.

Katie and I met in preschool/Sunday School. Over the next fifteen years, we moved from acquaintances to friendly rivals (in the Spelling Bee and Math Olympics) to good friends. She always had an ear for listening. I remember specifically one night in 2000 where I talked to her over 5 hours straight about my obsession with Becky Jackson. She could've easily just hung up, but she was there for me.

As we graduated from SCCA and only got together at church and in the youth group, our friendship actually grew, as was the case with most of my Stone friends. We'd talk nearly everyday on the phone. I remember the period between 2002-2003 where her grandfather passed away and we were both in a depressive rebellious stage. We would talk for hours about all these things we were going to do, though we both knew that we'd never do those things. As the years went on since 2003, we spoke less as our lives moved in different directions, but we still were friends.

Katie had a knack for making people feel special. She called on my birthday every year since 2000. Next Tuesday's going to feel so empty. The last time we talked was on Super Bowl Sunday. She had remembered that I am a huge Seahawks fan, so she called at halftime to wish my team luck. I had no idea it would be the last time we'd ever talk. She even quit her job in the summer of 2004 to show loyalty to an old friend. That's the kind of person she was.

Katie taught me two things about life. One, it was alright for guys and girls to just be friends without any pressure of romance. It took me many years to figure that out. Also, she taught me how to follow after God's will wholeheartedly and never look back. The world's gotten a lot emptier, but heaven's gotten a fresh infusion.

To those of you who are still remaining and feel the same way as myself, never forget to love. Life is short. Love to live and live to love. Never let anyone slip through the cracks. You never want to miss out on one more chance. I apologize for not being as good as I could have been these last few years, but I thank God for giving me chances time after time after time. I love you all, and I know we'll be strong.