Today was a difficult day for more reasons than one, the latter being the worst. I went to my last day at NFBC today. It was odd going in there not going in to tape the sermon. I found myself walking around, not sure what to do since I wasn’t busy. It’s funny how used to things you get. Like Pastor sitting in a pew on Sunday instead of preaching, he would probably feel like he should be doing something lol. I said goodbye to everyone and enjoyed the service which was great. It’s an interesting angle to see Pastor at, instead of way back in the sound booth. The service was on being a testimony. Afterwards I showed the congregation the first 5 minutes of Standing Firm which everyone seemed to like. It went by fast and I wasn’t able to finish anymore of the film to show. It was ironic that the part of the film I was showing was a funeral, which had A LOT to do with Pastors sermon which talked about death almost 75% of the time. Little did I know just how ironic all of that would be come later in the day.
I went to the Larson’s for lunch and enjoyed the fellowship (and the food of course). Ben Larson is a good friend of mine, one I don’t plan on dropping out of touch with. He is a huge example to me dealing with CF (Cistic Fibrosis). I love his family and it was great for them to invite me and my parents over to eat. Afterwards I went to the Ashby’s who normally have a Memorial Day get together. I saw a bunch of folks from Vintage I hadn’t planned on seeing again so that was great. We also played volleyball which was AWESOME. I was so happy to redeem myself after yesterdays disgraceful game. We won, and it was a blast! I left soon after to go home.
When I got in I captured the footage from my party and began to edit, but my parents called me downstairs to tell me that one of my best friends Mike Cooper, was in an “accident.” None of us knew what that meant until I called Scott Ortman and Gary picked up the phone instead. I sat there in my computer chair thinking it was a car accident. When someone is about to tell you something bad, every second feels like an hour. Gary calmly told me that Cooper was gone, and we had lost him. He fell at the Niagara Gorge while walking around. My dad came upstairs and I just stared at my phone. ”He died.” I said. I just sat there still and in shock. I didn’t even feel sad yet I was just numb from head to toe. We went downstairs to tell my mom but by the time we got into the kitchen someone on the phone was already telling her. We all hugged and just stood there stupefied. I decided right away that I wasn’t going to leave for CA…not tomorrow anyways. I quickly got in my car and went back to the Ashby’s. I cried a lot on the way there, I couldn’t help it.
When I got there it was really weird. The party was a lot quieter and everyone that had found out was just quietly talking and sitting around. It was odd coming to a totally different party after being there just an hour or so earlier. I hugged Justin Gillmore (a good friend and high school buddy) and cried on his shoulder. It really took someone hugging me for me to lose it. I couldn’t take seeing Gil’s face breaking, it broke me even worse. We all just talked for a while and I walked around the yard just thinking. Later we all were in a circle to pray and it was great. We were praying for comfort and for the salvation of Coop’s lost family. The mosquitos were so annoying when that was going on. I was so mentally messed up that each time I got bit it just made me 500% more angry than it should’ve. I wanted to leave really bad. Luckily we did get out of there in a decent amount of time and we went up to Buffalo to hang out at Ben Palka’s house. Everybody knows Coop, absolutely everyone. I’m honored to know him (not HAVE known him, he’s not gone). He was such a big inspiration to so many and helped shape so many of my friends into who they are today. What a TESTIMONY he was.
It also came to my attention that his profile picture on Facebook was a picture from mine and his farewell luncheon just a week prior. That made me feel so good seeing that fun picture there, it’ll be there forever…what a Blessing. I also got a lot of footage of him at my party yesterday so I hope it comes out good. It’s the last time we all were hanging out with him.
It’s been a tough day, and I’m torn whether or not to leave or stay. I think it’ll be harder to stay then try and leave. At which point is it OK for me to go? When will I feel good enough to leave? I don’t think that time will come. I also think Cooper would tell me to go, so I think I’m just going to leave as planned.
Rough day, but a Blessed day. Your with the King man, nothing sweeter than that! Have fun up there! I’ll see you later!
