I made it through lunch and was finishing up cleaning my classroom with my few students in attendance when I got the phone call. My sister, Alycia, called me and told me to sit down, and then she explained that our first cousin, Kyle, was in a car accident with his best friend, Kade.They both did not make it.
I immediately got off the phone with her and called my other sister, Brooke. As in disbelief I had to hear the news from someone else to verify because it just couldn't be true. I remember saying "I don't understand." "This can't be happening again." I was in shock, disbelief, and denial. I was so blessed this year to have been surrounded by an amazing principal and other supportive teachers that I was immediately embraced in hugs and then sent home to be with my family.
When I stated "This can't be happening again," I was referring to the accident that occured almost 8 years ago taking my cousin, Shay's life. The loss of Shay was something that changed my family's life forever. It really doesn't seem like it has been almost 8 years since he went to heaven. Having also lost one of my closest friends and college roommates, Brittany, just two years after Shay's death, I can firmly say I know what loss is.
I know how much it hurts and how much it changes things. Knowing what it feels like to lose someone so young and so fast, it makes you never want want to experience that type of loss again. And there I was experiencing it all over again. Yes, every loss is different but when you lose someone so young and so fast, it cripples a family, a school, and a community.
I wanted to be home with my family more than anything, but I also dreaded going home and facing the finality of this end. Kyle, Shay, and Brittany all attended the same high school as I did, which is located in a very small town. There are many negatives about living in a small town, but when something tragic like this happens there is not better place to live. In times of need, people in a small town come together and support one another like you have never seen. It truly is a beautiful thing to see so MANY people bring food, flowers, and offer support in so many ways.
It was a very LONG and HARD week, but my baby cousin is now in his finaly resting place on this earth. It was great to hear so many stories of Kyle's wonderful but short life of 17 years. Kyle was a handsome young man, but his wisdom and kindness were the true beauties of his soul. He had an energy about him that made everyone around him feel special. Kyle's gentle smile and kind eyes had a way of drawing you in. He was incredibly intelligent as evidenced by his straight A's and standarized test scores. He loved trains as a little boy, then became interested in the military, but most recently became fixated on attending college to study Aviation. I was really hoping to get him to move to Ruston and study Aviation at LA Tech, so I could have him close to me for a little while. I feel lucky that I can recall the day he entered this world and the day he left it to spend eternity with his Savior. I feel blessed to have called the sweet soul of Kyle David Landry my family. Without a doubt, Kyle is rejoicing in Heaven with his best friend Kade as I type this very sentence.
Yes, I know he is in Heaven in a much better place, but I am still struggling with my human flesh longing to see him again on this earth. My family is hurting, but we do look forward to being reuinted with him one day. Please continue to pray for my family during this difficult time.
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| Kyle and Kade |
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| Kyle in Momee's new car heading out for Prom |
