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.
Musical Pairing:
James Taylor & Carly Simon, Close Your Eyes
I’m so sorry for your loss, Talya.
Sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your pain and loss sweet friend.
So sorry for your loss.
Sending love and hugs to you, palsie.
Moving tribute. Compared to life, everything else seems trivial. Let’s bless the world with our words
So sorry for the loss of your friend, Talya. Prayers for you and for his family.
Prayers for you and all of Craig’s family and friends. So, so, sad.
Beautiful post. Sorry for your loss, palsie. Sending hugs and prayers.
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.
Loss is always difficult, and as a result, thought provoking. Sending happy positive thoughts your way.
I’m so sorry. I understand your shock and pain. Prayers for comfort.
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
what did he die of? I worked with him in the past