I can't say that I have a memory that stands out more than others. They were all special. Bob and I did much conversing( and drinking coffee of course). But I will add, these conversations revolved around the most important subject one can contemplate in this short life. Yes we talked much of Jesus. We meet in AA. Bob was well loved amongst the AAer's, and they even gave him the nickname Spongebob when he first joined the club. The reason for this is because he was like a sponge when he first arrived, soaking up all he could at the meetings. Then, after he had been around a while, he began (and never stopped) encouraging and urging us young men in AA to turn to God. In fact, Bob went as far as to say; "there is no where else to turn but God, so you might as well stop fighting Him." I remember after the AA meetings he was often giving away CDs or books that helped him on his spiritual journey. Most importantly, he was always willing to give of his time. That is a commodity you can't get back. I really began to draw close to him about 6 or 7 years ago when I began making a serious attempt at sobriety. And when I got serious, I had to hang with those who were serious about God and their sobriety. In my head, I knew Bobby was "safe" to hang with. This was around the time that Bob became less able to do all his house projects because of his poor breathing. I loved to work with my hands, so the timing was perfect when Bob started asking me for a little help here and there on projects. I really thought at the time that he was just trying to help me stay busy and AWAY from alchohol. As time went on I could see he really needed the help as his health declined. My favorite part of working at his house aside from working ( I was a bit of a workaholic too), was that every time without fail he would always get make a couple cups of coffee for the both of us and we would talk of life and all of it's aspects (the good, the bad, and the ugly). He was a mentor to me and a friend. His message to me was a simple one that never changed: "God is good." This is a deep truth that is just beginning to finally take hold of me and makes me sad not to have grasped this when my dear friend Bob had more time. But God has his perfect timing and way. I am so grateful to have been able to share in his life these last days of his life. I am so grateful for the brain injury that brought me back home, back to God, and to my best friend Bob. I say best friend not without reason. I realized this past year that I didn't need to be entertained by Bob's stories (though he told the best ones) or even hold long conversations with him ( half the time I wasn't sure if he could actually hear me or not), just being with him was enough. I'm crying right now, but not for Bob, but for us and the world. Another one of God's light went out of this world and our world just got a little dimmer. I'm happy for Bob: he's suffering no more and he is finally with Jesus forever. I will surely miss his laugh, but I saved a few voicemails from him with that very laugh on a couple of them. Any of the family is welcome to them. I'm just so glad that I'm terrible at erasing my voicemails.My deepest sympathy goes out to the whole family and your loss.
