What Friends Are For

Here i am kickin' it in provo for the weekend, all jacked up on macadamia nut cookies and mountain dew; gone through 2 movies, and still wired. Haven't slept at all, and it's now 5:30. One of the movies i just watched was 50/50. And really just got me thinking and appreciating my friends. Reminds me of the quote, "With so many people that come in and out of our lives, we sometimes forget that there are those who have been there all along. We take them for granted thinking they will always be there when one day they won't." My friends are the best.

Over the past couple years i've been able to draw extremely close to a couple of my friends. Losing a friend really brought the rest of us together. Still weird to say that over 2 years ago one of the greatest men alive was ripped from us.

While I miss Robi a shiz ton, i'm glad i have good friends who share so many similar characteristics that Robi possessed. Talking and hanging out with awesome people like Behnke, sean mearns, jeff evans, and robi's cousin bryce really make me smile because i see so many little traits, whether they know it or not, that really put a smile on my face because it's so similar to Robi's mannerisms. 

It's was fun to be in DC this past fall chillin' with Sean and Behnke for a couple days. While sitting down to a burger place (eating outside) a homeless man, or bum, or whatever you may, approached us and asked for some money. None of us said we had any cash. The guy asked if he'd buy him some food then. Without even hesitating, Behnke stood right up and walked inside with the guy and bought him a burger (it was a relatively expensive place mind you). It's simple things like that that really let the qualities of Robi shine through. The vacation was fun. But seeing those two puts a temporary patch on a gaping hole.

This pic of Robi and Behnke will forever remain on the fridge of the Santa Maria. It's perfect, shows Behnke holding his two favorite things; Robi and a burger. ;) (love ya big guy)

 Spending new years eve in Vegas with Thomas and Jevans did just the same. 

New Years Day with the Captain

Any time i talk to Bryce, it always helps soothe the ever-lingering pain. He and Robi talk the same. Sound the same. Talk about the same things. Share common interests, and are always teaching me something,  whether they know it or not.

Robi's jeep, The Jewel, facilitated many many adventures

I love how beautifully orchestrated the words are on his headstone, when it says quite simply "He was beautiful." My friends are beautiful still, just like the Captain. And i'm so glad they are the way they are. 

Check out this lakeside property!

2 1/2 years later and i still miss you every day. Waiting for the hole to finally heal, but don't see an end to it. Still waiting for the pain to leave, though being at your side, watching you slip through, leads me to not think it ever will. Wish my last memory of you was of something great, like hollering at people in your pink pajamas and footies for pancake breakfast. Or chopping wood shirtless. Or longboarding the canyone in a onesie with a gun strapped to a belt on the outside. Or stuffing kawque's pockets full of grapes. Or jumping out of the car to go ask some cute girls on the street if they had seen your "missing friend Jack," just so you have an intro to talk with them. Or the hundreds of other hilarious things you did. Instead my very last memory is the worst one. 

We all loved Robi. And we all love him still. Thank goodness we have friends who have gathered bits and pieces of him and incorporated them in to their own selves.

He was beautiful...