What I wish I'd Said

I did not prepare a speech, because I did not know how funerals or memorials work. And I never thought I'd need to stand here and speak of the past, about a person I'll never see again. Never did I think my first loss would be my friend, but life has a funny way of adding twists and turning points to our lives. People come into our lives, and they change us. For better or worse, every person you have ever met has molded you into who you are today. Sometimes this is a blessing, and sometimes this is a curse. My friend, Kate Rutledge, was human. They had their flaws. They talked in class, and never could focus. And they had their strengths. And it is Kate's strengths that I remember the most. They could twist a situation around and pull out a random sting of dark humor out of any situation. The unexpected was to be expected with Kate. And I do not regret any time we spent together, only that we did not spend more of it together. People die everyday. Every hour, maybe every minute, I'm not quite sure. Many are forgotten. But fear not. Kate Rutledge will never be forgotten. Because they befriended me, an artist. And I'll never let them be forgotten.