Dear Steve, I wanted to let you know Y'all were in my thoughts and prayers today. I've debated with myself (I dont know why) about sharing this story or not but decided I would. The first time I met your daddy, at the house on Harvard, I will never forget the words he said. I said "hi, how are you" (or something like that) and he responded "I'm good, just sittin' here waitin to die". Well.... As a young teenager that was quite traumatic LOL. Even tho I'm sure he was cracking a joke and by no means was he trying to scare or traumatize me. And I can't remember what was said after that, it's not even important. Forever after that, anytime I saw him, heard his name, saw a pic on FB, I thought of that comment. Still think of it every time. As the years have passed, I've gone from traumatized to jealous. I come to realize what he meant. He's been waiting to go home and see his Lord. He wasn't scared or afraid. He knew it was ok to die. I was jealous that I didn't have that peace and comfort about dying. But over time, I'm gone from jealous to appreciative. I appreciate the lesson I've leaned from Mr. Harold's comment. I learned that it's ok to die. (I'm not hoping it happens soon, of course! ) I've seen a lot of death over the last decade or two. Loved ones, acquaintances, strangers. Some sad, some horribly gruesome. I've gotten thru it by hearing those words in my head, followed by the Lord's words in my heart telling me that it's ok. I know it was God that reminded me of Mr. Harold's words. Even if it was a loved one that I didn't want to loose. There's been several near death experiences I've experienced or witnessed. And I was calmed during those times and said the words in my head "I'm just sitting here waiting to die". I remember one time while at work, on a call looking for a man with a gun. We were waiting to see if he exited a house. I remember thinking those words and then giggled out loud because I said a little prayer and said "Lord, if this is the day..... Please don't make me wait to much longer cuz it's hot out here!" (Probably isn't that funny but it was to me.) I later realized while saying a prayer of thanks that I made it Thru the day, I had to apologize to God for putting demands on him. Hahaha My point of this story, (I'm not even sure I explained my point well enough) is that those few little words made a huge difference in my life. Everytime I remembered them, I spoke to God. I think I would have still prayed thru out my life with out those words, but it made me pray more. It made me seek God's answers to how I handle death. I no longer fear and fall apart thinking of death (my own or others). And that makes me smile in awe and wander of how many lives and hearts were touched and changed by your daddy. Those who got to hear him preach (there has to be millions!!) or just have a small conversation with him were blessed in ways they may not even know. I regretfully sit here now and wish I had had the opportunity to share that story with him. I wander if he even remembers saying it, if it was something he said often or not. But, as I "sit here waiting to die", I know I'll have that chance to tell him some day. I love you.