This is how it all began

The start of my story

When I was 6 I went to America for my aunts wedding, it was awesome! We had a great time. Whilst we were there my 17 year old cousin who had come with us (this was because he lived with us, his mum was in jail and he never knew his dad) was shot . He witnessed a gang robbing a convenience store. They found him and shot him. Once in the shoulder and once in the stomach.

He was rushed to hospital, and sent straight to theatre. He died that night.
The bullet to his stomach had grazed an internal organ and they couldn't stop the bleeding in time...I was devastated. Even though Joe wasn't the best substitute brother in the world, he was all I had. I was an only child, so when he died it was worse than losing a cousin. I basically lost my brother.

His funeral was a month later, I had turned 7 by then. You see when we went to America it was for my aunts wedding but also a sort of birthday present as my birthday was a couple weeks later. At his funeral I was allowed to say some things about him, of course being 7 it wasn't easy. But I wanted to do it for Joe, to show how much I loved him. My eulogy said " Joe was my cousin yes, but he was more like the brother I never got to have. And he was the best fake brother I could have possibly had. I miss him, I loved him more than anything. He was amazing. He always made me smile when I was sad, calmed me down when I was angry and provoked me when I was annoyed😂. The best memory I have of me and Joe is when we were at the park and this kid was being mean to me so he walked over and told her to leave me alone or she'd have him to deal with. She ran away crying😂 Then Joe said "If you ever have a problem with someone send them to me, I'll always look out for you". Afterwards we went to get ice-cream, he had banana with chocolate flakes. I got chocolate with crunchie bits on top, I got some on my nose and Joe called me a chocolate nosed snowman👌. He was so silly, funny and such a happy person. And now...he's gone, those men that took him will pay for it. Like they deserve. I hope you will rest in peace Joe, you deserve it.

The day Joe was killed was the worst day of my life...so far.
But overall...I haven't got a worst day, because I can't choose from all of the awful days I've been through.
I have lost too much too quickly, but you will understand soon.