Remembering John Cochrane: Love, Friendship, and the Memories That Stay With Us
- Ashley Marie
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 2
This past week has been hard. I have been looking back at memories of our good friend John Cochrane, and it still does not feel real. Some people come into your life and leave a mark that does not go away. John was one of those people.
He was not just a friend.
He was my John.
Keep Your Loved Ones Close
When you lose someone close to you, it changes the way you look at everything.
It makes you think about the last conversation. The last laugh. The last picture. The last time you said “I love you.” It makes you wish you could go back and say more, hug tighter, and stay a little longer.
That is why I keep saying this: Keep your loved ones close.
You never know what someone is going through. People can be smiling, laughing, cooking, joking, showing up, and still carrying something heavy inside.
So say “I love you.”
Check on your people.
Reach out.
Do not wait.
The Memories We Share Forever
I have been going through pictures and memories, and every one of them hits my heart in a different way.
The smiles. The hugs. The funny moments. The good times.
That is the thing about memories. They hurt when someone is gone, but they also help you hold on to the love.
John brought laughter into people’s lives. He had a way of making moments feel warm and real. He was the kind of person you remember not just because of what he said, but because of how he made people feel.
Those memories stay with us forever.
Grief Takes a Toll
I want to be honest. Losing someone close to you takes a toll mentally.
Grief is not just sadness. It is shock. It is quiet moments where it hits you all over again. It is trying to go through your normal day while your heart is still trying to understand what happened.
I am so thankful for everyone who reached out, prayed, commented, checked in, and showed love.
It matters. When you are grieving, even a simple message can remind you that you are not alone.
You Are Not Alone
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or mental health, please reach out.
You are not alone.
I know people say that all the time, but it is true. You never know what someone is going through, and sometimes people need someone to notice. Sometimes they need a text. A call. A hug. A reminder that they matter.
Life can feel heavy, but nobody should have to carry it all by themselves.
So please, check on your friends. Check on your family. Check on the people who always seem strong. Check on the people who make everyone else laugh. Check on the people who say they are fine.
Sometimes those are the people who need it most.
A Little Sign While Making Dinner
One week after John passed away, I was cutting peppers for dinner. I looked down and saw a bunch of heart-shaped peppers. It stopped me.
One thing about John, he was a fantastic cook. He really could have been a chef. So seeing those little hearts while I was making dinner felt like one of those small moments that makes you pause.
Maybe it was just peppers.
But to me, it felt like John.
A little reminder. A little sign. A little heart in the middle of an ordinary moment.
And honestly, I needed that.
This One Is for John
For the memories. For the laughs. For the friendship. For the love. For the moments that still make us smile. For the reminders that life is precious.
I am at peace, but I will always carry the memories.
Love stays. Friendship stays. The good times stay.
And John will always be remembered.
Follow along with my journey here: www.travelingwithashleymarie.com
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