Shine On

Austin, Wesley, and Keenan

by Trisha Leone

This is a story about a friendship that was unlike any other. They met when they had hit rock bottom after they had used up all their second chances. They carried their skeletons along with them. Out in the open for everyone to see, excavated from layers of dirt disguised as drugs and alcohol. They came from handcuffs, jail cells, and hospitals. There at the bottom, they found each other and shared their stories of hurt, shame, disgust, and regret. Slowly and painfully they peeled away the layers like the skin of an onion. And deep inside they discovered something they thought they had lost—beating hearts alive, pulsing, and full of promise for a life still yet to be lived. There was hope.

They were more than friends, they were more than brothers. They had seen the worst of each other. The stuff no one is meant to see. The ugly side of addiction. The anger and despair. But together they found strength and climbed. One step forward, and two steps back. When they could finally see that there was a way out, they knew they had to tell others and show them the way. Their stories were true and had power. Success met them at the door. And through it all, they never forgot each other. They held on tight, always there but never cutting each other any slack. For they knew. They knew what nobody else knew. 

Wesley and Austin.

They fought like brothers, cussed each other out, and held nothing back. But at the same time, they had a deep love and respect for one another. They had each other’s backs and would drop everything if needed. But then life took a sharp turn and no one saw it coming. So now what? One is gone, but not really. Though your phone is not lighting up with his texts, his words are still in your head. When you get dressed, you know what he would say about your shirt, your shoes, your hair. He is still finishing your sentences, correcting your grammar, and ordering your lunch. He is right where he has always been—in your heart and in your soul. And you’re still taking care of business. That was the plan all along. Some stars shoot across the sky and fade, and others keep shining and leading the way. Shine on. 

In memory of Austin Eubanks.

Song Lyrics

Shine On

The last words you said  

Echo through my head       

Your texts are still on my phone    

We didn’t say goodbye    

And I’ll never know why

You’re the one who had to go 

Some stars shoot across the sky

And light the world on fire as they pass by

Some fade out of sight

while others still burn bright

And keep on shining, they just keep shining

And I’ll shine on for you, I’ll shine on for me

Oh I’ll shine on for you, I’ll shine on for me

and for everyone who needs to see

A little guiding light to get them through the night   

I’ll shine on, yeah I’ll shine on

A heavy chunk of coal

Smolders deep inside my soul

It just needs little air to get it going

Breathe in, breathe out

Sometimes it’s all I can do, 

But it’s enough to get that ember glowing

I didn’t come this far for nothing, 

Just to be the one who survives 

There’s so much livin' left to do,    

If you were here I know just what you’d do   

You would shine on, yeah  shine one