Matty

A lot has happened in three weeks. The most prominent and obvious event would be the death of my friend Matthew O'Brien. While I was not an extremely close friend of his, many of my friends are. Or were. That's the part that's is difficult to come to terms with: what was and what is, a new reality that was unexpected.

Death is hard to deal with. Not for the person who died obviously, but for those who are left behind afterwards. It is almost impossible to imagine that you will never see or speak to that person ever again. The finality of it is unbearable. Nothing to be done, as Samuel Beckett would say.

Hate to overkill my own experience with death, but it takes over your life for a while. That person pervades what would be normal activities. Music was very prominent in Matty's life: now whenever I hear a song I think he would enjoy, I can't help but think how he'll never be able to share his excellent taste in music with anyone ever again (as he has done with so many people).

My heart aches for his family, girlfriend and close friends (like Judy, Daniel and Adam). I would say I know how it feels, but I don't. I didn't know Matty like you did. I only knew a Matty being nice to one of his friend's girlfriend by not showing me his ass tattoo. That's the glimpse of Matt I'll always remember. And even though he's gone, the memory of him stays in our hearts and minds, reminding us of a blessing in our lives, no matter how seemingly small.

To Matthew O'Bizzle, a unique young man who was and always will be loved.