Stand By Me

The past week has been an emotional rollercoaster. Most of its personal, so I do not want to divulge too much information, its just been a difficult week.

One aspect has to do with the death of a friend of a friend. She was just 21 years old, which immediately brought Efaw to the forefront of my mind. It's like I went through losing him all over again, and that hasn't even been the most significant emotional tug I've endured this week.

I got to see Lauren, though, if even for one day. And I'm about to begin a week that will be both busy and fulfilling. On Monday, I am going to go with Tara to a Buccos game. I missed the one on her birthday, so I'm happy I'll get to go back with her. Plans are in the works for her to wear a sombrero, and I may take my Devil Rays foam finger even without an appearance from the hapless franchise.

Tuesday I will be on the road again, as none other than Drew Rubenstein and I embark on a 5-hour trip to the Garden State, where we will shack up with the old man. On Wednesday morning, as my classmates endure 90 minutes of mind-numbing lecture on the immigration of Italians into northern West Virginia in the early 1900s, the three of us will head to the Bronx to catch an afternoon tilt between the aforementioned Devil Rays and the New York Yankees. I've been strongly advised to not don the hottest selling custom made jersey in Devil Rays history - the Chuck McGill No. 7 road uni. Apparently - even as a non-threat in the division standings - I still risk being kidnapped, skinned and thrown into the Atlantic.

The tickets my Dad scored as freakin' sweet. Box seats. Drew is a Yankees fan, so it should be an awesome trip.

Then, as the weekend approaches and I finish my pointless W.Va. History paper, I will head to Charleston for Andy's wedding. I'm really pumped, moreso than I was for Josh's wedding. I guess because I've remained closer ties with Andy in the six years since high school - and I also know the bride well and adore her. There's not many couples I would ever bet the house on living and dying together - but this is one I'd put at the top of the list.

In going back to Efaw, I'm currently watching the 1986 classic "Stand By Me." This movie has a significance in my childhood, and in my relationship with Efaw. We probably watched this movie a dozen times my freshmen year. I remember sitting up at 2am in my dorm room and him messaging me to tell me it was on, and we'd sit at our respective computers a tower apart and laugh online at all the same parts, continually discussing its infinite greatness.

It's message of friendship is a timeless one. Friends come and go, but the experiences shared never die. That's the way it was with Efaw. Everything he and I ever experienced still comes out in my life each day. I love every single one of my friends so much, and I care about them so deeply. This also relates to the emotional rollercoaster of this week. The thing is, Efaw is really the only friend I've ever lost - and it was due to an untimely death. If I had my way - every one of my remaining friendships would thrive until I left this world. That's why I'm willing to work so damn hard to make sure they survive.

In conclusion, I'll leave my one or two readers with a quote from Stand By Me. And the next time someone tells you to shut up, remember to fire back confidently and proudly with...

"I don't shut up, I grow up, and when I look at you I throw up."

Oh, to be 12 again.