This week Stevie Hicks, one of my friends and former teammates passed away. When I learned of this tragedy, my immediate reaction was disbelief, followed by shock and several unanswered questions. There are many things in life that remind me of how delicate life is. One of the most gratifying things about life is knowing that it will end at some point. This knowledge can serve to motivate one to make his or her life meaninful or it can serve to enact cynicism in one's outlook on life's importance or relevance. I pray that most people would lean toward the former.
Many of my friends have reached out to me with kind words regarding my loss. I am grateful to all of you. Also, I have realized through this great loss that I have not done my part to keep in touch as well as I used to with many of you who reached out to me. I ask that you all please forgive me and I will do a better job keeping in contact.
My friend Stevie had an aura about him that lit up any and every room he walked into. He was a man who always had a smile on his face and he was a young guy who looked up to his older peers. He was a humble young man that was not afraid to ask for guidance on many situations when he felt he asking would benefit him. As I remember my friend, I am reminded that life is more fun when I have a smile on my face. Even though it is hard for me to smile currently, I am trying to make sense of his untimely death and trying to stop asking myself what could I have done to prolong his life. Instead, I have been thinking of ways to move forward and help others cope with loss.
This is a very difficult topic for me to write or talk about. Nevertheless, I felt compelled to put it out there. I struggle with sharing my vulnerable thoughts with others. I just want to again thank all of you who shared kind words with me. And, I want to tell everyone be comfortable in your skin. Love yourself first, cause only then can you love others. Be the person you want to be for you. Do not put extra pressure on yourself to please others because at the end of the day only you know what is best for you.
Rest in peace Stevie
