Protect and Serve
Always the authoritative type, he presided over my first wedding. I remember him standing there in his robe and sneakers - commanding me to "kiss the bride." I had never kissed a girl before and it was the ickiest feeling in the world. I wasn't ready for marriage and, after it was "annulled" three days later, he was there to help me get over my failed relationship with Now&Laters and Jolly Ranchers candies. It was the perfect therapy for a fake ceremony conducted on a school playground in 5th grade.
Over the next 25 years, I've watched girls befriend and trust him with their secrets. I witnessed teenage love blossom into an adult marriage and proud fatherhood. People constantly gravitated to him for comfort, calmness and sensibility. Those are the three characteristics I think describe him best.
For me to have lived such a wayward life in my 20s, my friends were always very stable and secure - a destiny I often ran from during my rebellious time. He was the epitome of going "by the book" and, although it didn't always yield the best results, he stayed the course.
Now, he has taken his purpose of protection and stability to the next level. . .as a recent graduate of the police academy. He had taken on the responsibility of not only looking after his family, but the families of those requiring his help. That is a HUGE sacrifice and I commend my best friend, John Quincy Williams, for rising to the challenge and embarking on what I believe will be the greatest chapter in his book of life.
I am very proud of you, brother. There is no doubt in my mind that God is going to protect you and those you help while giving you even more wisdom to help you lead your family and do your job.
Until next time. . .
