Today Cherry Hill mourns the loss of Teddy DePrince...who, while I did not know him that well personally (as in, I probably only met him once or twice), I've never been able to forget him. He and his younger brother, Cubby (who I knew in 2nd grade and will always remember him singing the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" theme song on the bus), both contracted HIV from blood transfusions ( I think they were both hemophiliacs). This was during the Ryan White years, so we all sorta knew what AIDS and HIV was and learned very easily, from real life examples, what the disease was all about. Cubby, who was, I think, the same age as me, died some years ago. Teddy lived on, was very active in high school and for some reason left a very lasting impression on me (and I am sure everyone else who came in contact with him). He always had a smile on his face and was extremely outgoing. He was the kind of kid who, when you saw him in the hallway, you were automatically happy for that moment...eventhough you didn't even really know him. He was a role-model for people who wanted to know how to love life, because you could just tell how much he appreciated what he had left of his.
Ben Abo had this away message up tonight...it is a message we've all heard a million times, but it can never be reitterated enough.
"I have learned from a great friend that life is but a limited time on earth and to enjoy life to it's fullest for ourselves and others. While that friend physically may be gone, his life & his lessons live on deep within our hearts. You will always be with us, Teddy "
2 comments:
Dear Teddy, I miss you truely big brother. I miss the days where you chose to spend your weekends after weekends with Michaela and I. Whenever I go to Mickey ds with mom or see one those trucks that carries cars on them or just sitting, coloring at the kitchen table with Jestina and Beelee a flashback of all the good times I had with you comes to my mind. November used to be one of my favorite because we helped mom prepare for thanksgiving dinner, but always to seem to get yelled at for throwing flour in eachoters faces.( Such a mature bro you were) haha. I know just wish November didn't exisit in the calendar. From time to time I'll think about the past and all the good memories, but it's hard to, because the terrible parts always seem over power the good things that happened. Dad from time to time will do something hilarious( well annoying to mom) and mom tells him to stop acting like you. We all laugh till mom and dad's eyes fill with tears. Mom says I'm going down the path in life you were shooting towards. I only wish you were here to join in the fun with me. I just don't understand why God decided to take you away from us right there and then? You'll always truely be the wind beneath my wings. I love you monkey Teddy.
Teddy. I still miss and love u so much. U were my best friend from junior high until your death and still now. My son is named after u and just turned 2 mid April. I wish u were still here. I think of u constantly. I love u so much.
Allen Kent
Post a Comment