Life, Death, and Everything in between

On Friday, as I was visiting with my mother in law, my mo called to tell me that the boy that was my neighbor growing up, had gotten killed. Adam's mom and dad moved into the trailer behind ours before either of us were born. they lived there about as long as my parents had been in their place. He was born two years before me, and while he was allowed to get into so much more than I ever thought about, he always watched out for me. I always knew, too, that if something happened, I could count on him. LIke the time my ex beat me. He came at him like a bat out of hell an stopped just shy of popping him, and told him, "i'll spare you this time, but there better not be a next". Then when he met Brian the first time, he told him, "you'd better treat her better than the last one. I threatened to kill him, and it carries over to you, too."
I couldn't pass his house without him waving. he was more than just the neighbor boy. He was like a brother. It's amazing how close you get to people when you live next door.
As we layed his body in the ground today, I couldn't help but think back to all those times we'd sit and throw rocks at the stop sign b/c I couldn't leave the yard. How he would throw his bike in the ditch, skippin out on the rest of the kids to hang with me sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, just to make sure I felt included.
Or the time he stood up for me on the school bus, and then, that time we threw one of the girls in the ditch between our lots. We almost broke her leg, and he sat us all down, big brother like and explained to us just how wrong and mean we really were. But then, hugged everyone of us.

He always was the first to tell me hey when i went back home, and ask me how the kids were doing, and if I was comin' back to Iva. His life was lived to make everyone around him happy and content, yet I sit here, sad and ashamed. Sad b/c one of my best friends from childhood has now gone on, but ashamed, b/c so many visits home I didn't have the time to sit and talk like I should have. Adam touched many, many lives, and I pray that even in death, his legacy will live on. Please, I know most of those who read my blog don't know me IRL, but in his memory, when you're out and about, tell someone "hello". Ask em' how they're doing. Don't forget the small talk, and don't forget to lend a hand. He would have.
R.I.P Adam (7-13-1982/7-11-2008)