My Best Friend, My Brother, My Hero

On Monday, May 31^st, 2004 my life changed forever.  On that day, I got the call from Ken’s mom, that my best friend and brother was gone.

Over the last week I’ve sat and cried; cried in pain, in denial that my best friend in the entire world has been taken from me, that what I had been told was an impossibility, that I was going to wake up from this bad dream and none of it would be true.  But it was.  As I sat there with this pain in my heart, I was also remembering the last twenty-three years of my life with Ken and of all the happiness and joy that makes up each of these memories.

I remember all of the birthdays, his and mine that we got to share.  I remember all of the fun we used to have together, whether it was water fights, improper use of bathroom tissue, or him hanging his body outside the passenger window of my truck yelling at people on the street.

I remember all the times that Ken was there for me.  A best friend and brother in the truest sense, growing up, he always looked out for me no matter what, he would always listen whenever I needed to talk, and he never hesitated to be a shoulder to cry on if the need arose.

 Over the last week, I’ve sat and thought about what Ken meant to me as my friend and as my brother in life.  I’ve struggled to find the words that would do our friendship justice, that could sum up everything that Ken was and will always be to me.

 And over the last week, I’ve found solace in the fact that I don’t need to find the words.  I have seen what Ken’s friendship, his love, his strength, and compassion truly means, not only to me, but to every person that he’s touched in this life.

 As I stand here today in front of everyone, I feel blessed and honored that Ken was in my life and to know that he had such a positive impact on everyone else in his life.

 Ken…you are my best friend, my brother, and my hero.  My life will forever be changed because you were in it.

I miss you and love you.