Innocence Lost

Bryce Dickenson was brought into my life 6 years ago by marriage.  He was a bright, funny, beautiful boy.
He was my grandson in every sense of the word but by blood.  I loved him, worried about him, got mad at him, laughed with him, talked books with him, talked music with him, but most of all I loved him.
He would tease me and tell me how old I was.  63 is so OLD Grandma he would say, then in the next breath, add: but you are so cool.  I wish I would have been cool enough.
How do you cope with the fact that someone you love was heading the wrong way?
 I saw things, I read things, just wish I would have done something.
He had a gift, laughter, humor and beautiful dimples that got me everytime.
He will never see another sunset, another concert, get married, have children, laugh again.
We all make choices, but Bryce was guided also down the wrong path by friends he barely knew.
He was making choices that were so wrong for him.  I have seen pictures of him with these friends.  He looked like he was always on the outside of the group.  He was.  He belonged with us still.  I missed him when we visited and he was away.  Now I will miss him forever.  Friends do not let friends die lost and alone
That I will never forgive.  Never forget.  He has two brothers he left behind, who will miss him dearly.  They will not know the knowledge he carried with him, they will not know his humor, they will not know him.  The young man, the sweet young man.
This is something no one ever wants to see.  A young person leaving this world to soon.  This world will be a lonely place without him in it.  Hold tight to those you love.  Once they are gone, there are no more hugs, no more kisses, no more laughs....just that empty feeling and the wish you could see them just one more time..