I woke up like it was a normal Thanksgiving in 2022. We went to my moms side first. So we went to my grandma's house like usual and spent almost half of the day there. It was as lovely as all of the other holiday’s we’ve had there. My aunts and uncles and grandparents, cousins, and my mom, dad and brother were there which was lovely. 

     When we had gotten done at my grandma’s house, we went to my great uncle's house on my dads side of the family. And so many people were there like usual. Except for my dad, papaw, and mimi who were in that hospital all the way across town. Everyone at my uncles were acting off, it was almost like we were missing a piece of the family. Which we kind of were but later that night, we definitely would be. 

     When it was time to eat nobody got up because papaw alway started the line. Once someone finally said “okay, I guess I’ll go first this year”, we were all eating delicious food and making conversation like everything was normal- but to me I knew everyone was just putting on a face because they knew what was about to happen deep in their hearts. That, and they wanted to at least try to make me and my brother distracted.

      I remember it like it was yesterday. Almost as soon as we were finished eating, my mom had gotten up from the table and went into a different room. I knew what she was about to come back and say and I absolutely dreaded it. After about five minutes she came back and told my two cousins, my brother, and I to come outside and that’s when she told us. “Did it just happen?” said my cousin. Mom nodded her head and it was almost like the whole world went instantly quiet. We all just stood there for a minute not knowing what to say or do. 

     Finally, we went back inside, got our stuff, and went home. Later that night, my dad and grandma had gotten home from the hospital acting like everything was fine. But me, I knew nothing would ever be the same without him again. 

     We all spent the next few days getting things ready for his funeral. We put together a few songs that we wanted to be played during the service, a few bible verses that my papaw liked, and my cousin, Bekah, prepared the prettiest speech, and delivered it so well. 

     When it was time for the burial, everyone gathered together and held each other tight. The feeling I felt when I realized I would never see my best friend again really started to set in. It felt like nothing mattered anymore. 

     When the ceremony was over, a bunch of people came back to our house and brought over some food. After I was done eating with everyone I went to my room and just laid there wondering why all of these people were in my house laughing and acting like we didn’t just bury the sweetest man to ever walk on this earth.