AuburnChick's Adventures

I just found out that the husband of one of my best friends passed away yesterday, and I’m absolutely devastated.

I met David and his wife when we moved back to the Florida Panhandle in the early 2000’s. Our boys attended the same middle school and played soccer together – both in middle school and on a travel team.

In fact, I’m pretty sure I first met David’s wife (my future BFF) during one of the first middle school soccer games our boys played in. She quickly made an impression on me with her energy, and I decided I wanted to do life with them.

As the years went by, our families grew closer. Before I started teaching I subbed for David and his wife, who taught at our kids’ middle school. I remember David walking into his room early on a day I was subbing and watching him teach his class.

He was incredibly patient and explained concepts so well. He ruled his room with an iron hand, but his discipline was based in love, and the kids knew that.

When I was preparing to take my General Knowledge Test to become a certified teacher, the math portion freaked me out. I called David and asked if he would help me study since that was the subject he taught. I showed up at his house on the weekend, a wad of Kleenex in my hands (I’d been crying from stress), and listened carefully as he calmly walked me through several practice problems.

I remember at one point him leaning back in his chair and saying, “I have no idea how they got that answer.” He assured me that there wouldn’t be hard questions like that on the test despite my worries.

I never saw him fret.

Ever.

Even after he had to rebuild his home after Hurricane Michael destroyed it.

It was the second time he’d rebuilt that house – Hurricane Opal had flooded their home several years before.

Even when they lived in a camper in their driveway for months while he put their home back together, he was steady as could be, and I don’t think I ever heard him complain.

He and his wife were in our small group at church. We shared many, many meals together. His quiet faith did not waver.

Ever.

He loved his family and friends steadfastly.

I will never forget this amazing man – his southern drawl – his easy take on life.

Please pray for his wife, their children, their grandchildren, and their community. His passing is already being felt by all who were honored to know him.

Filed under: This-n-That |