Castle Shima

Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see that last days of my house... No parent should ever have to bury their child. -- King Theodin from The Two Towers

Tower View
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Its ironic that my last post made fun of drunk drivers, but the point was that the driver himself would be the only casaulty, not anyone else.

On the night of March 16, 2004, a friend of my brother, Ben Jr was exiting out of a tavern with two friends. As they were coming out, none of the small party saw the drunk driver speeding down the beach road. I can only imagine the shocked looks they had as this driver plowed thru three street posts, thru Ben, and into the same tavern they just left.

Then there was Ben, laying in a pool of his own blood, being craddled by one of his friends. She remembered how all he could do was mumble "I just have to breathe. I just have to keep breathing."

Then he died in her arms.

I remember this young man. Hell, who am I kidding? He was just a boy. Just like my brother, Ric, he was only 21. They were close friends so I watched them both grow up thorough high school and through college.

Ben was a happy go-lucky guy, making others laugh and smile along with him. He was a friend of the family, always willing to help out when needed. There were the nights that all of us would hang out and play video games or the card game, Magic The Gathering. It was only a week prior that both Ric and Ben were hanging out together.

And now this night, we were sitting in a funeral home for Ben's viewing. I could only sit there helpless as a small part of the Asian community, wondering why this senseless death had to even happen. Many faces I hadnt seen since Ric was in high school were within this place. Tears and sadness were flowing freely. Those young men that knew Ben were fighting from weeping openly, only to fail when songs in the old tongue ring thru the chapel.

At one point, it was quiet with just the slight sniffling going around, waiting while a small video about Ben is being set up. And in the next moment, Ben's mother lost her composure, wailing loudly, crying profusely. The rest of the large group began to follow suit.

I could only watch helplessly as my own brother broke down. I found myself praying, wishing that I could take away this pain from these people.

I know I cant. I can only pray for the family and for other families who have to go thru such senseless things. Praying that no one would ever have to go thru such a sadness ever again.

Tomorrow will be the funeral. Tomorrow will be filled with sorrow, loss, and prayer.

Maybe one day, the driver of that Jeep will be forgiven by God because I know that many us wont forgive him.

You will be missed, Ben. God speed.
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Out in The Yard
Although I may not agree with all their tactics, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) is a worthy organization.
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Background Noise
Adam's Song by Blink 182

Give all my things
To my friends...
You'll never step foot
In my room again...
You'll close it off...
Board it up...
Remember the time
That I spilled the cup
Of apple juice
In the hall...
Please tell Mom
This is not her fault.

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* Days go by
* And still I think of you
* Days when I couldnt live
* My life without you
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