Song lyrics are in Bold

Ashley’s thoughts are in italics

How am I going to stand here while they put my brother in the ground? He was my age..so young, too young. Yet here we are. I can barely look over at Jackie, his mother who stands a couple of feet away from me. My dad is standing between us, holding her arm, trying to steady her shaking body. She looks so pitiful, large bags under her eyes from crying and her once joyful face, now etched with wrinkles across her chocolate brown skin. I hear her whimper as another man that works with my father at the center hits play on the portable stereo and the sound of Sean’s favorite song comes through the small speakers. That song tells so much about the person..my friend..my brother, no blood could tell me different. Tears to flow freely now….

Don’t worry
About a thing
Cause every little
Goin be alright
Singin don’t worry
About a thing
Cause every little
Goin be alright

Raise up this morning
Smile with the rising sun
Three little birds
Sit by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Sayin this is a message to you ou ou

Singin don’t worry
About a thing
Cause every little
Goin be alright
Sayin don’t worry
About a thing
Cause every little
Goin be alright

Raise up this morning
Smile with the rising sun
Three little birds
Sit by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Sayin this is a message to you ou ou

Singin don’t worry
About a thing
(worry bout a thing now)
Cause every little
(little thing now)
Goin be alright
Sayin don’t worry
(I wont worry)
About a thing
Cause every little
Goin be alright

Singin don’t worry
About a thing
(worry bout a thing now)
Cause every little
(little thing now)
Goin be alright
Sayin don’t worry
(I wont worry)
About a thing
Cause every little
Goin be alright

I watched as my father lead her over to place the white rose she was holding on his casket, laying it gently on top. Touching her fingers to her lips, she then placed them on it. My father then placed his rose beside hers, his fingers lingering there a bit. He walked them back to their place beside me. Crap..my turn..I cant do this…I cant do this. My father must have felt my inner struggle because he placed a hand on my arm, rubbing it, trying to give me strength. It took every ounce of courage and strength I had to walk the few steps to place rose there. My legs felt like they weighed a hundred pounds. I heard another whimper as I placed my fingers to my lips then to the casket, I didn’t have to look to know that it was Jackie. I closed my eyes, letting my fingers linger there for a few moments more before returning to my place beside them. It was at this moment that they began to lower the my friend into the ground as a few women from Jackie’s church began to sing a solemn Amazing Grace. I couldn’t hold it in any longer, I completely broke down. Tears flowing rapidly now, making it hard for me to see. My knees felt suddenly very weak and my legs started to give out. I started to fall but, something stopped me. I felt two hands on my arms, two arms cradling my body. The wind blew slightly, a scent drifting with it….I knew that smell…“Easy baby..I got you..shhh it’s okay.” I look up to see warm brown pools……Ashley. She holds me tight to her chest as I cry, rubbing soothing circles on my back, whispering comforting words in my ear. I looked over again as his casket was being lowered further into the ground. My crying got harder and her hold on me tightened.