Rest in peace
About a week ago a friend passed away, Luis. We were not best friends, but he did come over to our house about 4-5 times a week to hangout for close to 8 months so I knew him pretty well. We’d watch UFC fights, smoke cigars, and Cyrus and I would often times try to be funny to make him and the rest of our buddies laugh.
The night he passed, he was at our house and we watched Tim Dillion and Norm Macdonald laughing so hard and having a great time. It was extremely shocking to find out he went home and had died in his sleep. He was a great man. It was at his house, when I first moved down to Florida last year, that was the first time I felt like these were my people. He made me feel very welcomed and after speaking to many other people he had that effect on just about everybody.
One thing I can say about Luis is he lived life to the fullest. He had many interests and wouldn’t hesitate to dive deep into them all. He’d travel quite a bit to see places he wanted to see, with his favorite people. He was zealous about Yahweh. For being only 26, he not only left quite an impact on so many people, but he also did and accomplished a LOT. This was showcased at his memorial service that had to be the best I ever attended. I’ve been to many funerals and memorials ranging all ages. From 3 years old to 80+. Not one of them had such an impact on me as Luis’s. His friends, family, and work had only great things to say about him. This is normal for a memorial, remembering the good times, but one aspect of this one that was different was there was minimal sorrow, but a great understanding that he is now with the father. No doubt about it. This let peace come over the room in a way that was felt. Lots of laughter from funny stories, and an incredible video that left a sharp lump in my throat for hours. It was beautiful and inspiring.
His death has gotten me thinking a lot about the impact I’ve made on people and what they will say about me when I pass. Ok I know that sounds narcissistic, and it probably is, but I have a good excuse!
Today is day 1 of driving out to California for a month long cross-country road trip. I’m driving out to San Diego to goto a leadership conference called Heart of the Samurai. One part of the “homework”, pre-conference thought exercise, is to write 2 eulogies about yourself from the perspective of your friends and family. I’m going to take a slightly different approach and write it from the perspective of me dying suddenly now, as I am today, and then one of me dying in the far future, from old age. So I’ve been in this mind space for a few weeks, thinking about what to write. Luis’s death has brought this thought, that was running in the background, onto the top of mind. After hearing what all his closest friends and family members had to say about him, I realize how drastically different mine will most likely be 😂.
So I’m going to write these eulogies that I will link HERE under a private link, because they will be quite personal. If you actually wish to read them, just send me a text and I’ll send you the password.
So ANYWAY. I could have just flew to this conference, but I have decided to drive because I did this trip in January and seeing all my friends and family along the way was so much fun. Shout out Nathan, John and Candi, Benet Bino & sisters, Daisy, Ron and Nancy, & Tim and Steph. I was going to do the same route as last time and come back home, but inspired by Luis I’m going to wander. I’m going to go skiing in multiple states, see more family and friends out of the way, and explore state parks I’ve always wanted to see. Including, but not limited to: Moab and Sequoia. No time like the present! I’ll be going up to Colorado to visit people and hike some mountains. I’ve got 3 people I’m staying with, but if you’re seeing this and want to hangout, go skiing, or whatever call me and let’s do it!
Life is a grand adventure and Yahweh has blessed me with the freedom to go exploring. Life’s too short not to live it all out for Him and have a little fun along the way. I’ve been in a consistent heart posture of gratefulness for months now and feel unshakable in my convictions. Peace and joy are abundant! Life is good right now, and I understand that the circumstances around me can change in a moment. Life itself could end in a moment. So I choose to live in the now, where I have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to take my own thoughts captive. A positive mindset is a choice. Being a man is being like a flag pole, planted deeply in the foundational rock that is Christ. NOT a flag, flapping wherever the wind blows.
Life is fickle and can end seemingly randomly without warning. I wish to be remembered as someone who loved deeply, laughed real hard everyday, was others focused, and lived zealously for the Lord.
