A Date in my History

On this date, the 5th of April 2007, I saw the dead body of someone that I knew. He was one of my cousins, one that I used to play with as a child and have many memories of. His name was Peter. He was only slightly younger than I.

This was my first time seeing a body. He looked smaller, quiet even, and his skin was pale. His fingers were crossed across his chest and looked slightly translucent. Relatives passed by the coffin and said prayers, stared and contemplated. Some touched his hands or his brow gently.

I suspect that this event will inspire change both in me, and those around me. It was an unexpected death, in that he collapsed very suddenly and died a few days later, and it has sent waves through my family and extended clan which will likely be felt for some time to come. All manner of questions, from "why" to "what does this mean?" to "why am I living my life in this way when it can all be taken away so easily?" are bubbling under.

I'd like to have some instant answers for them, but I don't. Tomorrow we bury him, on Good Friday, and then...? Choices maybe. I may have a better obituary to write in time, but for right now this is what happened on this day.