I saw more of him growing up than any parent or any friend. His voice, demeanor, and large frame are all imprinted on the inside of my brain. Memories on top of memories are overflowing. Was not just a brother, was a friend, a guardian, a hero, a companion. I walk like him, talk like him, move like him… I always wanted to be him.

Now there is a blank space in my heart. A blank space in the earth. A void. A gap. No other person on the planet meant more than this man. None. None could of played the role this person did. None.

He shaped my life, showed me the ropes, protected me, watched after me. He was proud of me; I was proud of him.

I went by Lil’ Goodnight most of my life, ya know. Most of popularity came from him. He was really cool. Not in the trying to be cool way that most do. His whole way was cool and gentle, calm and collected.

Surreal, this moment is. Unthinkable. This is the guy I was planning on growing old with. We’ve played every sport you can imagine, we’ve fought together, did all kinds of wrong together, cried together, lived together.

He carried a silent wisdom about him. He never was fast to talk, he sat back and waited. He was cool, the definition of it for me.