Anthony lost his life way too soon. What I learned!

I need to tell you about my childhood friend Anthony.  I learned about true friendship, I learned to treasure each moment. I learned about complete acceptance of another person.

Anthony’s life was short, far too short. We made a lifelong connection.  Even after many years, we still had a strong bond.  On the night that Anthony died, he even said goodbye to me one last time in my dream.  Now, Anthony is my angel.

Who is your Anthony?
A Tribute of Love
Anthony, I don’t know if you can hear me, my dear childhood
friend. I want to thank you for so many wonderful hours we
spent together. Visions of heaven remain in my mind when I
think of that Starlight childhood time.
We had the most Fun playing school. My mother would make
nun outfits for your sister, (Mary Anna) and me. I loved playing
nuns and teacher. You were always so sweet and kind.
Sometimes I was so mean and cruel. I always had to be the
teacher. You were always the pupil, but you never complained.
I would be so bossy and you would just sit there and smile.
You and your sister taught me what having true friends meant.
There was always complete acceptance of the other person.
Every day I looked forward to coming to your house.
You and your family were very caring people. Your father
would affectionately call me Fat Belly, even though I was little
and thin, my stomach stuck out. There was always a feeling of
love and compassion at your house. The Italian pasta sauce
and meatballs your Mom made from scratch were delicious.
Budding red roses were always part of the decor. Faith in our
Lord and His Blessed Mother was always a very important part
of the family structure. There will always be a special and
warm place in my heart for your family and especially for you.
It was a mystical, joyful time, full of love.
Then we grew up and went our separate ways. I heard you
were sick but I never expected you to be sick with cancer. You
were so young! Twenty-five years old. That dreadful disease
took an angel on earth and made him an angel in heaven too
soon.
Anthony, I really knew there would be a death in your house
before it happened, but I didn’t realize it was you. I had a
- 59 -
dream; I was walking through the hallway that went into your
house. I felt that someone died there; I was searching for him
or her. I never thought it was you, maybe your Mom or Dad,
but not You!
Sorry, I couldn’t come to your funeral. I couldn’t bear to see an
angel in a coffin. I know now that you are an angel in Paradise.
I am glad that I came and visited your house after the funeral.
Everyone was there who loved you, including me. Your
beautiful bride was too soon a widow, but her radiant smile
showed she was so grateful for the short time you both shared.
It was the last time I looked around and saw that mystical
place, especially the basement door that leads to our make believe
classroom.
I learned plenty from that Starlight time, each new day is a
blessing. Later when I faced very hard adversities in my life, it
taught me to never give up. I had a life. Some people like
Anthony lose their life way too soon. There are so many good
things in life that make up for the bad. Don’t complain about
getting older. Anthony missed a whole lot of sunrises and
sunsets, holidays, so many wonderful Christmases, dancing,
flying, being, Living and Loving. He would have been the most
wonderful husband and father because he had the most loving
heart. Most of all, so many people missed out on knowing such
a wonderful human being.
I am so thankful that there is the consolation of Eternal Life.
Anthony, we will meet again one day in Heaven. When people
we love go to the heavenly kingdom before us, they are able to
love us with a deeper love, a love that is enriched by God’s own
love. I also believe in Guardian Angels. I know you are mine.
See you in Paradise!