A Letter to Bill

A letter to Bill:

I lost a friend. Not a life long friend but a friend from the day that we met about eight years ago shortly after I arrived in Granbury. Bill, you were someone who always asked me how I was doing. and you took initiative to introduce yourself to me shortly after I arrived here at Acton. Through the last few years things that seemed simple now I realize meant more. I loved and will miss our competitive banter related to your Dallas Cowboys and my Denver Broncos. Just simple text messages and subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) jabs we took at one another involving our teams. I still kick myself that I allowed you to take Peyton Manning in our fantasy draft two years ago and then he proceeded to have the best season ever for a quarterback. And you never let me forget how dumb I was for not drafting him. I should have known better. I thought those funny, sarcastic quips would be the lasting memories we shared. But they are not, and for that I am thankful. There are two much more meaningful examples of our friendship.

You asked me to go play golf time and time again. The last time we played in February you insisted that I bring Carson along because you knew he was taking golf lessons. You were impressed that he actually played all eighteen holes and I know that was because you were talking to him, giving him pointers, and encouraging him throughout the day. He still talks about that day and how much it meant to play golf with his dad and Mr. Bill. Thank you for inviting a six year old to play golf and take a day out of your busy schedule for him and me. The next time Carson and I play golf we will think of you.

A couple of weeks ago I came to visit you in the hospital and you asked if I would read scripture with you. We sat there and read texts from Matthew, Luke, and James for about an hour. But it did not seem that long at all because we were so engaged in our discussion. You shared how you felt that you were being called to read more scripture these last few weeks. You asked me if I believed in miracles and if I had witnessed any. I said yes and told you that the miracles I have seen are when someone who doesn't know Christ comes to know Christ in a true, deep, and meaningful way. In all my years, there have been few more meaningful moments than that discussion we shared that afternoon.

What I wished I had told you and hope you know now is this: you are that miracle that you asked about. In every sense of the word you are that miracle. You never stopped fighting. You never stopped believing. You remained faithful because that is who you are. You led people to Christ by the way that you lived and by the person that you are. You were one of the nicest and most genuine people I have ever met, it's simply who you were. I do not understand why you have left us so soon but I know that you now know why. Although it hurts right now I have faith that one day I will understand as well. You live on through these and many other memories and the influence you made on those that you loved.

Grace & Peace Always
Kevin