Suddenly I couldn’t move, I was stuck because I recognized that precious mother, sister, and his twin sister. I was at a funeral that should not have been, he was only 23 years young and a wonderful brother…. It all began on a typical summer day. I arrived at the News Station for a typical Saturday of work. I received the call from my News Director to cover the story about a Fallen Hero in Orlando, Florida. There was no information about who the fallen soldier was when we made our way in the news van to arrive at the funeral in Eustis. He was killed in a military tank, it was an explosion when they hit a road detinator. It was a closed casket funeral…. I wanted to run as I could feel the sting of reality in the pit of my stomach, my eyes were beginning to sting while I held back my tears as the impending knowledge that my precious friend from middle school and high school had passed away and there was nothing I could do about it…. It was my childhood friend, John Osmolski. His mother, Ruth met my gaze and we embraced each other in deep admiration for her son and my friend, Dearest John. His twin sister Julia within arms reach came to complete this group hug of loss and grief. We met in 8th grade, little John had the most lovely sandy brown hair with ringlet curls that fell around his sweet cherub like face. I remember asking him, “Can I please pinch one of your bouncy curls?!” He Smiled and giggled at me before looking down at his shoes and said, “Ok fine, but don’t make it a habit because all my sister's friends all ask me the same thing.” Julia let out a roar of laughter and my sister Wendie began to giggle in unison. That was the first time I met my friend and brother, John. We were all good pals from that day forward. We grew up together, we shared our hopes and dreams of what we might like to do when we grew up. We celebrated birthdays and studied as friends do in school. War is never beautiful, it is always harrowing on all sides. As a philanthropist and humanitarian I always remain neutral because I am always looking to support individuals who are affected and suffering. It is in an effort to humbly be a kind light and help find solutions not just report a problem or a sad story. That was the beginning of my life’s journey to acknowledge the power that comes with painful experiences in life and be the change that I hope to see in the world. I knew then and still hold onto the fact that complete truth is our legacy and many roads lead to God. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/orlandosentinel/name/john-osmolski-obituary?id=24280843