In Memoriam

My cousin was killed yesterday. He was 26. While I didn't always see eye to eye with him, had no patience for the decisions he made and am jealous as hell that he has such a wonderful child, he didn't deserve to have his life taken away.

While ringing in the new year, he got into an arguement. He was stabbed in the heart and left to bleed out in the street. He had neither his cell phone nor his wallet and had to be identified through fingerprints.

The family convened at his parents today, enjoying in true family fashion an impromptu family reunion. We shared stories of happier times while we wondered about the impact this will have on his son's life. Yes, the negative influence is gone and the child will be spared watching his dad go to prison, but this 5 year old boy will never have his daddy to hug him again.

I have given my cousin a lot of hell here on Nasty Little Thoughts and felt it necessary to tell the positive just this once. And you can check out my neice Roxy's reaction too.

He had faith and at one time had been "on fire for God." He could fix anything and revived my transportation on many occasions. He loved laughter, music and fast cars. He appreciated the finer things in life. He was handsome and charming. He had friends that have proven loyal and true. And above all else, he loved his family, especially his son.

We'll miss you, Mark.

12-23-1979 to 1-1-2006