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RIP friend…

February 21, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner 14 Comments

tulip coming up!

Today I intended to write about my weekend and the spring-like weather and how my tulips and daffodils are peeking through the soil and how one incredible thing after another happened including I got a new car! And, all these things are true.

Maybe I’ll write about them tomorrow.

But today?

Today, I sit and stare into space trying to wrap my brain around the devastating news I received just hours ago. News that a friend has died.

I attended Baylor with Craig Farrelly. He was in my wedding.

One week ago, I saw his sweet wife at my book signing in Blytheville. We briefly chatted about their recent move from Osceola to Memphis. I didn’t get a chance to ask where’s Craig? but I assumed he was somewhere inside the crowded bookstore. Craig knew everyone, and he loved to talk and laugh and was not the type to stand in a long, slow, boring line.

But I never saw him. And that was that.

Today, everything I’ve been working toward and worrying about seems inconsequential as I am reminded that life is oh so fleeting and precious and unpredictable. We have such a limited time to make a difference, to help someone, to brighten someone’s day.

To do something that matters.

To be kind to one another.

To exist.

Today, I sit and stare into space and search for an answer knowing there isn’t one. And I’m feeling smothered with friend guilt, wondering if I could have done anything. Any small thing to make a difference.

After a week of warm weather, snow is in the forecast for Northwest Arkansas, and I think about my tender tulips and daffodils barely poking through the ground, and it all seems so incredibly tragic.

RIP friend.

Craig Farrelly and me

Musical Pairing:
James Taylor & Carly Simon, Close Your Eyes

Filed Under: Life, Memories Tagged With: Craig Farrelly, death of a friend, grief, suicide

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Comments

  1. Georgeanne @ Southern Fried Soprano says

    February 21, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss, Talya.

    Reply
  2. Colene says

    February 21, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    Sorry for your loss!

    Reply
  3. debbie says

    February 21, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    So sorry for your pain and loss sweet friend.

    Reply
  4. Kelly H says

    February 21, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    So sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  5. Gina says

    February 21, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    Sending love and hugs to you, palsie.

    Reply
  6. Fay Guinn says

    February 21, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    Moving tribute. Compared to life, everything else seems trivial. Let’s bless the world with our words

    Reply
  7. Julia Harmon says

    February 21, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    So sorry for the loss of your friend, Talya. Prayers for you and for his family.

    Reply
  8. Jo Ann Wardein says

    February 21, 2016 at 7:11 pm

    Prayers for you and all of Craig’s family and friends. So, so, sad.

    Reply
  9. Carmella Fryar says

    February 21, 2016 at 9:03 pm

    Beautiful post. Sorry for your loss, palsie. Sending hugs and prayers.

    Reply
  10. Tim says

    February 22, 2016 at 8:58 am

    I’m very sorry for your loss, Talya…Regrettably, I didn’t know him, but he sounds like an incredible guy and friend who touched many, many lives In a loving and positive way. It’s weird how it seems all the good people leave this world, early, and all the bad live way passed their time. I’ll probably live here for another hundred years, or so!=). My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

    Reply
  11. Terri Gerrell says

    February 22, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    Loss is always difficult, and as a result, thought provoking. Sending happy positive thoughts your way.

    Reply
  12. Dorothy Johnson says

    February 22, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    I’m so sorry. I understand your shock and pain. Prayers for comfort.

    Reply
  13. Natilee Ashworth says

    July 28, 2016 at 1:00 am

    Tayla, please contact me about Craig’s passing. I cut his hair in Memphis for several yrs. and was wondering why I hadn’t seen him. I googled him and found your site. I am shocked and devastated. He was such a nice, friendly, comical guy. I am so very sorry. Natilee

    Reply
  14. Larry says

    March 17, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    what did he die of? I worked with him in the past

    Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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