Yesterday was Lurch's birthday and it was a really long day for me as it brought back a lot of memories and made me miss him terribly. I thought that sharing a fond memory would help me get rid of some of the pain.

When Chris, Lurch, came home from the Marines I realized that he was still just the little kid that used to crawl into bed with me after having a nightmare but he had grown up a bit physically. It was nice to see that little kid again looking at me through the eyes of a man that was spreading his arms to pick me up off the ground and spin me in the biggest bear hug I'd ever gotten.
Still my best friend in the world we spent much time together getting caught up and that made us just that much closer. Yes, I was completely in awe of him and still am. We watched movies, told each other about things we had seen and done while apart, and just got closer than we had ever been.
One night while sleeping I was awakened by a very loud noise and it truly scared me but I wasn't sure what it was so I lay there quietly listening. The noise came again and I realized that it was coming from inside the house and just down the hall in Lurch's room. I listened yet again and the sound came again mixed with the sounds of him moaning in his sleep. The sound was him punching and kicking the wall near his bed. Yes, the nightmares were stronger than ever.
Suddenly, I heard him cry out and hit the wall one last time then things calmed and all I could hear was him breathing heavily. I wasn't sure if he was awake or not and I knew from experience that touching him or waking him while he was in the throws of these terrible dreams was the wrong thing to do so I just lay there listening and hoping he was alright.
Shortly I heard soft footsteps coming towards my room and his gentle knock on my door. "Sis, you awake?" This made me smile to myself just a little remembering the little kid that used to come to my room with the same question. "Yeah, you alright?" He pushed the door open and came to the side of my bed and knelt down to be closer to eye level with me and said quietly, "The demons are still chasing me."
I reached for his hand so he would know that I care and threw the covers back at the same time. He chuckled softly and climbed in bed with me. "Sis, I don't know how I ever got through these without you around but I sure am glad you're here now."
We lay there and talked till the sun came up about whatever topic came to mind till the peace was restored and he was able to sleep again. I watched him for a little while worrying that the demons would return but the fear soon left and I slept as well.
When he woke up I got another one of those hugs that only a brother and sister can share and he thanked me for being the one that can calm the demons and let him have peace.

I know that sounds like a bad thing but if you look at it from my POV it was an amazing thing... How many times in your life have you been able to say that you have truly given peace to another person when no one else could?
This is something that started when we were kids and it continued till he died. It is nice to know that I have the ability to bring peace to another and I have to thank him for showing me that I have that ability.

Chris, I love you and thank you everyday for being my best friend. I'm glad the demons are finally quiet for you.

my heart goes out to you still, my friend, for someone like that would be missed for me, every minute, and although we go on at a different plane, we still miss dearly and forever, those who have passed, and it's us that suffer now, more that they.....and envy the ones that have passed, for they get to fly now.....i'm jealous of that talent, but i don't want to fly for awhile....my condolences