Into the Fire

                                           "Good morning, Viet Nam."

                                    04/06/1947 – 10/29/2013

My friend Rick left his family and friends and headed to eternity on Tuesday after battling cancer.

God allowed me to see him before he died, to occupy a small amount of his life after so many, many years. Those of us here know it was no coincidence that I found him on Facebook at this season of his life. I'm so grateful for that visit.

Rick occupies only good memories in a time when few things seemed stable. One special summer of '67 lived on in our hearts before he and other friends headed to Viet Nam, a friend and I ventured to Europe, then I found my niche in horse racing at the now defunct Longacres. I think we saw each other twice briefly in the last 30 some years, but this reunion was good, memorable. He allowed me to pray for him before I left his home.

He left his mark in my life as friends who cross time and space to remain friends in spite of life. He will be greatly missed.

Thank you so much to all who prayed for him. Words can't express how grateful I am for your friendships.

Father, I pray for his family as they must face this horrible grief. I can only hope they will find you to comfort them. That is my hope. I know of no other true comfort in the face of death. Please help them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.