Wow, it's been a month since my last post. My how time flies. It sure can get away from you if you don't pay attention to the things that are important.
My next few posts were going to be about books I've read recently. But that changed this weekend.
I spent the weekend in Tennessee. We got to see Julie's parents and that was nice, but the trip wasn't planned. We took the trip at the last minute
You see, a fraternity brother of mine from college named Kyle Hutchison died last week. He was one year older than me. He didn't die in a car wreck or something else you would expect to take a young person's life. He just died. It's shocking to say the least.
So I had to make the pilgrimage back to Tennessee. I had to be there for the rest of my brothers. I had to be there because Kyle impacted my life. During pledging, Kyle instilled in me confidence. I had never been challenged to push myself mentally or physically until I pledged. Kyle made sure I worked hard. And the confidence that I gained those few weeks back in the Fall of 1994 have carried me through law school, jobs, layoffs and personal struggles. Kyle and I weren't close and had not talked in a long time. But my life is different for knowing him. And I found out just how many lives were different because of him at his funeral. RIP Kyle. I love you.
Kyle lived a life that when you look at it and hear all the people he touched, you want to be a better person. I sit here on birthday contemplating that. I could be a much better person. I could be a harder worker. I could be a better Christian. I could be a better friend. I could be a better family member. I could be a better husband. The list goes on.
I wasn't sure what to expect going back for the funeral. My fraternity was my life in college. Then Julie came along and she became my life. While I was still in school, I was still involved with the fraternity, but after graduation, I gently faded away. After moving to Miami, I fell completely out of touch. There is one member of my fraternity that I have had contact with in the last couple of years. But I was welcomed with open arms. People were glad to see me. People's lives had changed, but I was taken in during the day as if I had never gone.
I have thought about those guys often the last few years. I know many of them are still good friends and hang out all the time. I have wanted that and longed for that. One of my biggest regrets is that I did not hold on to my relationships as I left college and I did not know if I would ever get them back. But maybe this tragedy will get me back on that road.
The saddest part of this is that I did not hear the news from any of my brothers. None of them knew how to get in touch with me. I heard through Julie and was fortunate to find out in time to get back for the funeral.
As I celebrate my birthday and look to the future, I have resolved to pay attention to my relationships and not take them for granted anymore. I have gotten into a routine of assuming people will always be there for me. I realize that I need to nurture the relationships I have with people and make sure they know I care. Because I never have the chance to rebuild my relationship with Kyle. I hate that. It's not fair. But the past cannot be changed. I can only affect what happens today. And with that, I will move on, one day at a time, striving to never forget the people that are important in my life.
