This is a letter about your legacy.
This is my letter to Donovan.
Donovan, I wish I could've met you. I know your family and they are pretty amazing people so I know it's safe to assume you were too, but I'm lucky that I don't have to assume, literally everyone that ever met you speaks only praise for you. I don't have to assume, I know that you were an amazing soul.
Normally I don't use that word, soul, I'm not a fan of it but with you, dear Lord I hope I get to meet you someday brother.
There are a few people I wanted to talk to you about if you've got the time.
First, there is your brother Ray. He is rough, mean, and kinda a dick, but he has never spoken an ill word about you. Ray is what many people would call a hero, I know he doesn't see himself that way, I think he sees you that way though. I doubt I'll ever see him be soft, but when your name comes up, that tough guy becomes a little less tough and wants everyone to know that he could not be more proud of his brother for the man he was and the legacy he left.
Second, there is your mother Eileen. I love your mother. I really love your mother. I can't tell you enough how much I love your mother. She is so tough, she is so strong, she is something amazing. I see where you got it. She talks about you often, really as often as she can, she loved you more than I can express in this letter, she cares for you so much and she is making sure that you will never be forgotten. She misses you dearly and she can't wait to see you again.
I know you see her often when she comes and cleans up your grave and brings you flowers and gifts which she does so very often. My brother, you are very lucky to have a mom as amazing as her. She started a scholarship in your name to make sure your legacy gets passed on.
Last but definitely not least is your sister, my wife, Te'onna. This woman is amazing, I can't say this as many times as it should be. I love your sister, she is who she is because of your family, because of how you helped her be a better person, because of how she helped you be a better man.
This girl loves you so much and it pains me to see her sad when her heart breaks over again when she thinks about you being gone. She holds you in the highest regard, she will never allow someone to speak foul of you, she makes sure people know who you were, what you did, and the great shadow that you left on all that knew you. She misses you man, and I just wish I knew how to make her feel better, but the only thing that can help is you, you were the biggest part of her heart.
I wanna thank you additionally from myself, brother thank you for being who you were, thank you for making everyone you came into contact with feel better, shine brighter, and work harder. The legacy and impact you made on everyone reflects the character of the person you were. I've learned about how amazing you were, from the ones that knew you and were fortunate enough to have been graced by your presence, I just wish I got to meet you.
I also just wanted to let you know we named our son after you, Keiran Donovan Adams Randel, I picked it while your sister was sleeping after giving birth to him.
I have seen the impact you played in the life of your friends, family, and community and I hope my son could be half as great as you are, I hope he passes on your legacy, I hope he understands how wonderful you truly were and how to leave a lasting positive impact on every second of every day.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you for being who you were and for flying as high as anyone could imagine.
Second, there is your mother Eileen. I love your mother. I really love your mother. I can't tell you enough how much I love your mother. She is so tough, she is so strong, she is something amazing. I see where you got it. She talks about you often, really as often as she can, she loved you more than I can express in this letter, she cares for you so much and she is making sure that you will never be forgotten. She misses you dearly and she can't wait to see you again.
I know you see her often when she comes and cleans up your grave and brings you flowers and gifts which she does so very often. My brother, you are very lucky to have a mom as amazing as her. She started a scholarship in your name to make sure your legacy gets passed on.
Last but definitely not least is your sister, my wife, Te'onna. This woman is amazing, I can't say this as many times as it should be. I love your sister, she is who she is because of your family, because of how you helped her be a better person, because of how she helped you be a better man.
This girl loves you so much and it pains me to see her sad when her heart breaks over again when she thinks about you being gone. She holds you in the highest regard, she will never allow someone to speak foul of you, she makes sure people know who you were, what you did, and the great shadow that you left on all that knew you. She misses you man, and I just wish I knew how to make her feel better, but the only thing that can help is you, you were the biggest part of her heart.
I wanna thank you additionally from myself, brother thank you for being who you were, thank you for making everyone you came into contact with feel better, shine brighter, and work harder. The legacy and impact you made on everyone reflects the character of the person you were. I've learned about how amazing you were, from the ones that knew you and were fortunate enough to have been graced by your presence, I just wish I got to meet you.
I also just wanted to let you know we named our son after you, Keiran Donovan Adams Randel, I picked it while your sister was sleeping after giving birth to him.
I have seen the impact you played in the life of your friends, family, and community and I hope my son could be half as great as you are, I hope he passes on your legacy, I hope he understands how wonderful you truly were and how to leave a lasting positive impact on every second of every day.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you for being who you were and for flying as high as anyone could imagine.
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| Photo Credit: Andrea Cleghorn |
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| Photo Credit: Andrea Cleghorn |
