Simply Put, It Was Rich!
I once had a close friend who said to me many times, "If you play Boomer Sooner and I don't stand up and clap then you will know I am dead." This was just one of his many colorful sayings. He was one of my Father's closest friends and had worked for him for over 15 years. He was a significant part of my raising from the time I was about 7 years old. Although he was married, he never had children and I know he felt like I was the son he never had. I also know he saved my skin more times and I can remember. He loved to tell the story of the day that he found me in the alley behind my Father's grocery store with a hammer about to smack an aerosol spray can. There is no way I can embellish this story close to the way he could. I know for sure that over the years it certainly got more and more colorful. What I remember most about it wasn't the details of what or how it happened but the way he would smile and laugh as he told it. Simply put, it was rich!
Given that he worked 80 hours or more a week at the store and I was raised at the family business we grew as close as family. He was loyal, honest and one of the hardest working men I have ever know. As you might imagine we spent many hours over the years in long deep discussions on practically every topic. Every topic... including faith. I specifically remember one conversation when I asked him if he believed in God and if he thought there was a heaven. I recall clearly that he said, "Yes, I do. I believe in God and Jesus, and I think there is something greater than we can imagine. I think there is a life beyond that our words here cannot begin to describe." I remember thinking at the time this was not something that he said without considerable thought. I could tell from the way he answered and the expression on his face that he was serious. He had put time and effort of though in to defining his beliefs to what was a somewhat short but concise response.
I am grateful today for having had people in my life that where not afraid or embarrassed to discuss and share their faith with me while they were working.
We didn’t know he was sick. He had not told our family. I know that he would not have wanted us to worry and I know that he would not have wanted to cause any grief or stress for my mother. He was sensitive to the fact that she is still processing the loss of my Father. But, I wish I would have known. I would have gone to see him and reminded him of the old times and all of the stories he used to love to tell about my shenanigans. I am sure I could have gotten him to laugh again. I can only summarize his passing with this. As I recount my life I know that it was richer having know him and I am grateful to have shared so much of life with him.
I now live thousands of miles away from where his services were held and I was not able to attend. But, in my minds eye today they played “Boomer Sooner” and he did not stand up and clap. Rest in peace Ted Evans you where loved and cherished.
