My son lost his best friend this week. Erik Herlen was doing exactly what he should have been doing. He followed the safety rules he was told and waited at the lights to cross the busy street. When the light turned green, he crossed on his way to school. Unfortunately, the bus turning left didn’t see him. The accident happened on Tuesday. Life has not been the same since then.
Today is the funeral. I overheard my son telling someone yesterday he is not sure which day is going to be the worst day of his life – Tuesday or Saturday. The day his friend died, or the day he has to say goodbye. I don’t know, either.
It seems so unfair. He had so much more to do. There was so much possibility. He and my son never ended up having the sleepover we tried to plan. We don’t have an album of pictures. Those boys were supposed to help each other through the rough teen years. Talking about girls. Laughing when their voices crack. Seeing who had to shave first.
I have always prayed that my kids would have good friends and be good friends. That was Erik. I am so glad he was a part of our lives. I can’t believe he is gone.
