2 months

almost 2 months ago I got a call at around 2 or 3 a.m. and i didn’t answer it. But a few hours later my mom texts me and says my uncle has been murdered, shot from behind straight through the head, died instantly.

I hardly knew him but I felt different. I can’t explain it. Sad…maybe. But all my aunts and uncles who were family to him, they were beyond sad. Mourning. My culture takes funerals differently. 3 days of a type of funeral, 3 days I saw his body and only once did I cry. I thought to myself do I not have empathy? Am I really that person. But the very last day when we buried him was when it finally hit me. Seeing the males of my family like my dad, uncles who you’d mistake as a thug and even my frail heart deteriorating grandpa cry is horrible and that is what pushed me over the edge. I wish I knew my uncle closer, but every few weeks I visit his grave and sit next to him. He was so young and I miss the days I do remember of him. Rest in piece uncle.

I felt like I needed to say this to someone, anyone because I never even told my friends why I skipped school and was very busy all of a sudden. In some way I hope writing this out will help me cope with the thought of death and murder…