Meeting the Family

Remember the boy who passed away in June?  I went to meet his family today with a colleague.  It was a visit we have postponed many times, each of us in our own way were uncertain if we feel comfortable meeting them.  It is really hard to describe this feeling ... but it is fear of not knowing what to say and if we would say the appropriate things.
 
When we arrived, we were given the same warm welcome like the last few times.  The difference is that we are not visiting a boy who is sick.  He is no longer with us.  What do you say to the family in this situation?  My colleague had many questions he wanted to ask but was afraid that it would not be appropriate.  We were both afraid that feelings that were long buried.. and kept buried, would be dug up unnecessarily.
 
We spoke briefly about our loss.... about our memories of the boy... about what he left us with... the courage to live... the optimism in facing his obstacles... and fighting till the end.  Though for reasons we can't fathom, we know, there are reasons why he came and touch our lives.  He had shown us how we should live our own lives.... as Alex says that we should treasure those who are still around... how true... a young life to remind us that we should be thinking about what we are doing in our lives and what we have forgotten to do... 
 
Say to someone who matters to you that you appreciate them being around.. being who they are..... being there to touch your life and make you who you are....
 
I guess this is some form of closure for me... In some ways I felt the peace in the house..... the acceptance that it had happened...  yet knowing that he was very much alive in our memories.