As most of you know, I became a father to a perfect baby girl on October 18th. she is perfect in everyway. We are all in love. And yes, it is a HUGE change. If there is one thing I have been able to rely on that doesn't change is that everything is changing all the time. And it's been that way since I was 18.
The first change I remember that started it all was when my sister became engaged and then married. I don't want to talk about that one right now because although it was the start of constant change, it's very small. The one I would like to discuss happened roughly 10 years ago this week. I remember it very vividly. I was working swing shift and I had fallen asleep watching Walking Tall part 3. My dad woke me up and as calm as he could told me that my best friend Michael who had moved to Arizona had passed away. He told me his brother had called him and it took him a bit to get it out of him. The only thing I will say about the event was that he was hit by a car accidently.
Around this time I had boarded an airplane by myself for the second time, dealt with layovers for the first time and arrived in the driest place I'd ever been in my life. Scottsdale, Arizona. I attended the first funeral of a close person in my life who was young. and stayed for more than 3 days at someone else's house who I was not related to.
I had a hard time accepting his death because although he had a good heart, spiritually his life was a little off. I know he believed in God and Jesus Christ, he told me, but he had a hard time keeping the commandments. At the time, my lack of knowledge of Christ's atonement told me he was doomed and I could not believe that. His heart was good. To make a long story short, This change in life helped me to study and find my testimony of the atonement. I know Michael isn't doomed, and I know where we are going when we leave this world. I know it! I think about Michael everyday. I know he's there for me and everyone he knew and loved. Even people he didn't know. Shoot, I'd bet money he's jamming out with Syd Barrett, Sid Vicious, Jimi Hendrix, and although I hate to admit it Bradley Nowell.
The world misses you Michael. We can't wait to see you again
