Such sadness

I can't stop crying today. I try and dry the tears and before I can get then all wiped away, I start again.

They called off the search for Harold and Cory Cossaboom. I have heard rumors that they found the boat, other rumors that they found an oil slick but have not yet actually found the boat. Either way...Its been 2 nights and search has come up with debris that was identified as belonging to the "Whole Family".

Harold is my brother, Roberts, age. Older than me by 4 years. Cory is several years younger than I am. We grew up on the same little Island of White Head. With a population of no more than 150, it is safe to say that everyone knew everyone. Kids certainly had little choice in picking a friend of the same age as you were lucky to find 3 or 4 kids the same age as you.

As far as Harold went, he was lucky to have several guys his age. Robert, Mackie, Jamie, Mark and for a time, Scott...Scott moved off of White Head after a few years. Generally, if you heard the name Harold, the names Mark and Jamie followed closely behind. The three were like brothers. They hung out together a lot.

One of my first memories of Cory is holding him in my arms when he was a baby. His blue eyes were huge. Almost mesmerising. He was born with a cleft palate, and while I remember seeing the way his lips were different from other peoples, I don't remember that it mattered. He was such a sweet little boy.

So many memories are flowing through my mind right now...I can't possibly type them all. How can I possibly write about our childhoods and the memories when so few people can truly understand the tight knit community of White Head? I don't think the words are there for me to explain because it is something you have to experience.

I am sure that both of these men were Christians. Cory was so active in the Church. His speech was difficult to understand but he was willing to repeat himself so he could be understood. He was often first to offer a hand at anything that needed to be done. Harold was more in the background, but I do believe he was a born again believer.

I have reminded myself time and again that the second these men left this earth, they were safe with Jesus where there is no more sorrow or pain. Yet it doesn't stop the heartache here on this earth. I think of Harolds wife and children. Of his mom and sisters and the sisters children. I think of Corys mom. The young woman he was supposed to marry this summer, his sister and her children. Cory just lost his dad less than 6 months ago. His mom lost her husband and her son in such a short time. How do you cope with such pain?

The Island is in mourning. Of this I am sure. Yes, life will continue on, but many hearts are aching for the loss of these men and for their families.