[PHOTOSTORY 4: Struggle] Saying Goodbye to a Dear Friend

By: Lanna Douglas

Aspen Morgan and Nevan Hehman preparing to get the gang back together for one last goodbye. A beloved member of the friend group has just recently passed, and the whole group is planning a lantern release in his honor. 

Alex Durrence shortly after arriving to the memorial. “I’m glad we decided to do this, it’s been an extremely hard week.”

Aspen preparing supper for the gang. “The boys requested dinosaur nuggets and macaroni and cheese, I hope there’s enough for everyone.”

Close up shot of the cooking macaroni and cheese. By the end of the night, all of the food was gone. 

The beautiful sunset overlaying Statesboro, Georgia on this beautiful night. Everyone agreed that it was a sign that everything was going to turn out okay. 

Laney Ervin and friends preparing the lanterns for the memorial. “These are a lot bigger than I thought they were.”

One of the lanterns released on this evening. There were twelve lanterns in total that lit the night sky. 

Alex explaining how the crew is to go about this. “You have to light all four corners of the wooden piece and it should fill with air to fly away.”

Aspen trying to figure out how to light her lantern. She actually attempted this a lot, and ended up burning her hand. 

Nevan interfering to help her light the lantern. “You’re not doing it right let me do it please.”

Alex preparing one of the lanterns. This one successfully lit the first try and was shortly sent into the night sky. 

Laney lighting her lantern after writing her note to Bobby. It also took her multiple attempts to light hers as well. 

The lanterns lit up before setting off. Everyone thought it was beautiful.

Time to send them off. Bobby would have loved this so much. 

Shortly after one of them lit on fire. This one, in fact, did not make it. 

Watching as the memorial lanterns lit up the night sky. This is where everyone became emotional. 

Lanterns lighting up the night sky. This is also the gang running after one that was about to land in a tree. 

The reality begins to set in. It’s hard to lose the one’s we love, but everyone is blessed to have eachother.