BOY CRAZY

Eleven years ago I had a mad crush on a stocky, brown haired, brown eyed football player named Nick. We were seniors in high school, a time where who you were made a difference in who you dated so I didn't stand a chance but I was lucky enough to have a twin who managed the football team so Nick and I were friends. I still remember his warm smile and his big hugs. Both were so comforting.

Two and a half years ago, Marc and I permanently resided in Northridge, California but came here to Colorado Springs for six weeks for a clinical. I was six months pregnant with Anderson--looking fairly round. Since I finished high school here, I was thinking I might run into someone from high school in those six weeks and it turns out, of all people, I ran into Nick on Saturday afternoon at the mall. We both did double takes, he was wearing glasses so I didn't immediately recognize him; I was six months pregnant so his double take was definitely understandable! We had a short visit and it seemed like things were good for him.

Tonight, I read that he died, at a hospital here in Colorado Spring, in December, from a very rare form of cancer in the spine and neck. I am shocked and deeply sad. I wish I would have known--I would have visited. I would have attended his funeral. I hate would have, should have, could haves. They make lots of things so much worse. It's definitely a time to "seek out a forgotten friend," as I said in my last post about death.