Remembering an old friend

Ever hear a song that reminds you of a certain place, time, or person? It brings this memory that is incredibly intense, so much if you close your eyes you find yourself back in that time where you first heard that song. I'm a particularly visual person, so I have an assortment of songs in the back of my head that I can't listen to without thinking about that particular memory. A few minor ones, like the random Akon song that I always think about doing my make-up with Sarah at her dorm before our nights out.

Tonight I was listening to Pandora, a website that has customized streaming music. I love it, because I can specific one artist or song and it matches other types of music for you. I was listening to the John Mayer channel (shocker) when I song came on that I hadn't heard since last August.

The day of Curtis' funeral.



I knew Curtis for close to five years, we met my freshman year of high school which was his senior year. At only 22 years old, we lost him to cancer on August 1, 2008. I'll never forget his laugh, bright green eyes, or the way he walked. I always remember Curtis when I go to Rumrunners, the restaurant he used to work at. I can never see a Jeep Cherokee the same way or listen to any song by Alabama without him crossing my mind.

The day of his funeral, I went alone. I sat towards the back and it was entirely surreal. That song is so strangely positive, and I sat and I watched the slide show of pictures that were projected on the wall of the church. That song that played was so peculiar and positive, I couldn't think about rainbows, this was a funeral. But at the same time, the song carries the spirit of Curtis. He always just wanted to have a good time. That's all he wanted from life, and I admire that from him.

I feel his presence sometimes, I know he's there.