Madison Fleisher

I never imagined grief could feel this heavy.

I’ve been trying so hard to find the right words, but the truth is, I don’t think there are any. I’ve spent the last few days crying over memories I never thought would become memories so soon. It’s heartbreaking how someone can be such a huge part of your life, and then suddenly you’re left wishing for just one more conversation, one more hug, or just one more “Hi BFF.”

When I think of my childhood, I think of Uncle Bill.

I think of every Fourth of July spent at his house in Virginia, where some of the happiest memories of my life were made. I think of running on the beach until we were exhausted, laughing so hard our stomachs hurt, and feeling like those summers would last forever.

I think about climbing into your old Dodge Dart and going for rides with you. At the time, it was just another car ride with my uncle. Now I’d give anything just to sit in that passenger seat one more time, listening to you talk while we drove down those familiar roads.

I think about playing cops and robbers, you chasing me all around the yard, and the time you hid inside your hot truck for what felt like forever just so I couldn’t find you. I remember you taking me to Dollar Tree, where I’d spend what probably felt like an hour trying to pick out one thing, and you never rushed me once. You were patient, kind, and somehow made even the simplest moments feel special.

I think about you making the trip to Indiana just to spend time with me. I think about you standing off in the distance with the biggest smile on your face while you watched my husband and me practice our wedding dance. You didn’t have to say anything I could see how happy you were for us.

The hardest part is knowing there won’t be another text from you. No more “Hi BFF.” No more checking in just to see how I was doing. I never realized how much comfort those little messages brought me until they were gone.

Thank you for every summer, every Fourth of July, every beach run, every ride in your Dodge Dart, every game of cops and robbers, every trip to Dollar Tree, every text, every laugh, and every moment that made my childhood so special.

Until we meet again ❤️