Today one of my best friends from elementary passed away. Terrance Mendez. I remember when we first met. We were both shy and didn't know how to become friends but we started talking and we remained friends ever since.
He moved away but returned and when he did we resumed our friendship like no time had passed. We had so many similarities in our lives. We both shared a love for our culture. Instead of playing outside at recess we would stay in the class room and draw on the blackboard scenes from the Feast (A four day ceremony here in Mescalero). We joined the Indian Clubs in Middle and High School. One summer we were both enrolled in a Water Ecology program. We had so much fun in that class and we met so many great people.
Throughout High School we were friends, working on our Indian Club homecoming parade float. After finishing the float I remember we had a huge water fight with everyone there. We won first place for our float.
He was so talented in so many ways. He drew our shirt for our High School Indian Club and other shirts commemorating relatives and friends' Feasts. Everyone knew he could bead almost everything. He beaded so beautifully and was always modest about his work. His paintings and drawings were equally incredible. He wondered if he did have talent and I told him he could have his own art shop if he wanted. He was an artist with his friends as well.
It seemed effortless for him to make friends with those around him. His caring and friendly personality made everyone comfortable and his humorous attitude made him unforgettable and unforgettable is what he will always be.
My heart aches because a piece has been taken with him. This loss I feel is deep and unfathomable. The memories we've made together are what helps heal this void I feel inside me. Yet, through this heartache and despair, the love he had for his family and friends is a light in this dark time, that will lead us to better days.
In Apache there is no word for goodbye because we know we will see our loved ones again. So, my dear friend, Terrance Duane Mendez, I will see you again and until that day comes, naanduseł.
He moved away but returned and when he did we resumed our friendship like no time had passed. We had so many similarities in our lives. We both shared a love for our culture. Instead of playing outside at recess we would stay in the class room and draw on the blackboard scenes from the Feast (A four day ceremony here in Mescalero). We joined the Indian Clubs in Middle and High School. One summer we were both enrolled in a Water Ecology program. We had so much fun in that class and we met so many great people.
Throughout High School we were friends, working on our Indian Club homecoming parade float. After finishing the float I remember we had a huge water fight with everyone there. We won first place for our float.
He was so talented in so many ways. He drew our shirt for our High School Indian Club and other shirts commemorating relatives and friends' Feasts. Everyone knew he could bead almost everything. He beaded so beautifully and was always modest about his work. His paintings and drawings were equally incredible. He wondered if he did have talent and I told him he could have his own art shop if he wanted. He was an artist with his friends as well.
It seemed effortless for him to make friends with those around him. His caring and friendly personality made everyone comfortable and his humorous attitude made him unforgettable and unforgettable is what he will always be.
My heart aches because a piece has been taken with him. This loss I feel is deep and unfathomable. The memories we've made together are what helps heal this void I feel inside me. Yet, through this heartache and despair, the love he had for his family and friends is a light in this dark time, that will lead us to better days.
In Apache there is no word for goodbye because we know we will see our loved ones again. So, my dear friend, Terrance Duane Mendez, I will see you again and until that day comes, naanduseł.
posted from Bloggeroid
2 comments:
I am one of those friends who will never forget Terrance. I am truly glad I got to know him as well. If it wasn't for him, we would never have met. I know you are a strong person and that you will get through this. :)
Thank, Will. I still can't get over it, and I don't think we ever will. I find myself wanting to text him or seeing something silly and I want to text him to tell him about it and then it hits me, he won't answer. Or I see a blue Jeep going down the road and I get happy and then heartbroken when I realize it's not him.
I thank him for introducing me to you and the rest of the group. I've met so many wonderful people because of him and through us he'll continue to live on.
I makes me want to live a better life. To be thankful each and everyday for what we are blessed with and the people in our lives.
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