From Tashina

Dear Rhett,

I'm proud of the progress you've made the last 7 months - it's incredible! You have come a long way on this journey of life... but unfortunately not long enough! Why did your journey have to end so soon? It doesn't make sense. I still don't want to believe!

For the most part, I've always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. But I'm refusing to believe that in this situation. What was the reason - why did you have to leave us so soon?

I missed having you around and hanging out the past decade. I've missed your vivacious, fun-loving, free-spirit. I always hoped to have things go back to how they were. It was so nice to be able to see your face and hear your voice during this pandemic on our family zoom calls. I felt so happy and grateful to have my cousin back in my life! I was looking forward to the fun times we had ahead of us. It's been a while since we hung out and I was hoping to visit you and Chad sometime soon... maybe go to the beach, go fishing, get a chance to try one of your amazing home cooked meals or do whatever fun thing you had in mind while I'd be down there.

Life's so unfair. It always seems to be the good ones... the ones that are taken too soon. The people like YOU!

This is so tragic! Why'd it have to end like this? I wish you were just on vacation or living your dream somewhere remote and I'd get to see you again and pick up where we left off. I want to think this is all a nightmare. I want to understand why - why did Saturday have to go down like that; why was it you; why did God have to take you away from all of us right when everything was going so good for you; why was it your time? You've survived through so much - why couldn't you survive this?

You know I was on the phone with Marian when your family got the news?! I heard your Dad screaming in the back and then silence from Marian and then screaming from the both of them. I could hear the Sheriff in the back breaking the tragic news. NO! I kept praying the entire drive over to their house that at worst you were in critical care but you would pull through. I was so scared for you and worried for your family. I wanted you to be okay.

I've been reminiscing on a lot of good times as I search for pictures of you. You had a beautiful and contagious smile that would just light up the room instantly. I always enjoyed being in your presence and will truly miss you. Only being able to remember the good times and look at pictures and not being able to make anymore memorable moments is heartbreaking. I'm so sorry this happened. I wish it hadn't... I wish we can rewind time and keep you safe. This devastation hurts a lot... I hope you didn't suffer.

I try to stay positive and know God has a plan. But I'm just so sad. Although we'll never understand his reasons why, I do believe that we'll reunite again... until that time my dear cousin.

I love you and will miss you very much! Say hi to Grandma for me.

Tashina