Dear Louis

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Dear Louis,

 

I need to start this out by saying I miss you. 

 

So, I miss you, Louis. 

 

And not just me, Louis. The whole tribe misses you. 

 

And that's not the end of it. From the dirt, to the grass, to the trees, to the leaves,

 

to the clouds in the sky and the winds blowing by, we all miss you. 

 

Cuz you're the kinda guy who always speaks the truth. 

You're the kinda guy who has good words for the youth. 

 

Cuz you're the kinda guy who finds time to be humble,

And you're the kinda guy who finds time to relate to the struggle. 

 

You lived your life, you fought your fight, and when push came to shove you lost no focus. 

You went above to show your love to those of us who felt we had no purpose. 

 

Cuz that's just who you are in your heart, you make patience and forgiveness look like theyre a work of art.

 

Never afraid to speak your mind, even if it was so kind, that bitter people would try to find, 

 

a moment to fight, to conspire, like enemies they were planning, 

to pick your heart apart and orchestrate your impending crash landing 

 

But you'd tell them no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 

 

That isn't the way it has to be. 

Because choosing to be kind is always free.

 

Focusing on the whys of your hurt all day just leaves you in pain, 

and in the end only drama and trauma will be what you gain. 

 

And the thing about pain is that it's Cyclical by nature. 

The words you breathe out linger in the air like a toxic vapor.

 

Poisoning others beyond repair,

Infecting people with your own despair,

It isn't wise to plot your demise

when really all you need is a good cry. 

 

And Louis, I've cried for you. 

 

The lessons you've taught me now only sting, 

because I'm never going to stop missing the truths you used to bring. 

 

Louis, I've wept for you. Because a kindness so wise and a patience so elegant is a mark of the divine, 

 

The dignity in your words and the pride you tried to hide always gave your lessons a unique sort of shine. 

 

I miss you, Louis. 

 

And now you're on your way to the next world, 

 

and I regret not reaching out about these thoughts I had to share with you. 

 

From the beginning, you were a number one supporter. 

 

When I had nice things to say when others had vicious motivations, 

You nodded proudly and let me know you saw every ounce of my patience. 

 

I wish I knew you better, I probably only got the best bits. 

I know you weren't perfect, and I'm sure you had your fits. 

 

I just really miss you Louis, and I never got to tell you this in person, 

 

But I think you made our ancestors proud, and you helped save my life, so I say oh so loud. 

 

I really miss you, Louis. And I love you. And in my heart, I will always have a piece of you.

 

Spoiler

I wrote this piece on August 10, 2025, after Louis passed away.

 

It's his birthday today. So he's on my mind. Lol I'm tearing up just writing this it's crazy. He was one of the best people I will ever know, and I can personally credit him to my continued existence.

 

I wasn't close with him, but I didn't have to be. Purity of heart and honesty of character can do profound things for the people around you.

 

He helped me understand I shouldn't ever feel bad for sharing my heart with others, because he led by example and did exactly that.

 

He taught me the best people are still human, and are capable of being wrong, and that there isn't any shame in acknowledging that.

 

The idealic version I have of myself in my head, who I work every day to one day come close to being, was formed by him and the way he conducts himself, even to people spitting venom in his face.

 

He was the type of guy who would rather give you a hug and ask if you're okay after you lash out on him.

 

Osages prop ourselves up with our culture a lot. We like to think we're the bees knees. Even when we're acting against what our cultural lessons have taught us.

 

Louis was one of the best of us.

 

You don't have to know him. He never cared if you did. He wanted the best for you, and I know if I had done that scary thing to reach out and thank him for everything he's done to me, he would have been moved to tears. Cuz he was also the type of man who knew how to cry and love and feel.

 

He was the best of us. And I miss him so much. There's no reason for me to browse Facebook anymore, because I won't see his kindness in the midst of the toxicity anymore.

 

The effect we have on people can be profound in ways we cannot imagine. We are lessons people will learn from, whether we choose to be or not. 

 

Louis always made the choice to do his best to be a good lesson to follow. And I miss him dearly.

 

Tell your elders you love them. What they have done for you, and what they mean to you. They've done the hard work to make it this far in life. We owe it to them to let them know our lives are better because they chose to stick around.

 

They might not be here tomorrow. Share the love you have while they're here, instead of waiting to share it at their funeral.

 

Hope y'all have a good night, and please stay safe.