How Do You Spell Friend
I spell it H-e-n-r-y. We meet a lot of people in our lives. Some are mere acquaintances, others become close friends. Then there is the one that comes along that blesses you so much. I have been blessed to have two men come into my life that I have had such a close relationship with. Men who build you up and never judge. Men who are Christ like in their approach to friendship. Men who would always be there whenever you need them.
The first was my Dad, who was my best friend for my first 27 years of life; he was taken home when I was young, but is forever with me. He always encouraged me and was always teaching me. He lived his words and everyone loved him. He wasn’t perfect but always tried his best to live a good life.
Fifteen years after his passing I met a new best friend, Henry Chab. Henry’s passing this on May 19th brings back memories of what these two men meant to me and how having known them made me a better man.
For seventeen years Henry and I met weekly with very few missed weeks. It started at Westview Church with Pastor Larry Kasper and Lee Crawford. We had many had many wonderful times of sharing and prayer.
As time went on Pastor Larry moved away and Lee could not meet because of his work schedule. Henry and I continued, meeting at Denny’s for breakfast. We shared what was going on in our lives. It was a time I looked forward to each week. We had many servers over time who shared their lives with us and even remembered our order each. We were kind of boring in our ordering and rarely changed over the years.
Like with my Dad who I would often sit and talk with in the early morning, so it was with Henry. It was a time to share before starting a hectic day. We would share the joys and struggles in our lives. There was never a moment of judgment, but there very many moments of encouragement.
Like me Henry had two wonderful daughters, whom we loved dearly. We loved sharing our stories. We loved sharing about our wives, whom we both loved dearly.
Henry was a man you could ask a favor of and he would always come through. I once asked him to help me paint and he gladly came to help. I later found out that he really did not like painting, but that did not stop him when a friend needed help. We once inherited a neighbor’s dog when they moved away. We were going on vacation and did not know what to do with the dog. Out of the blue Henry volunteered to keep the dog at his house while we were gone. He had never met the dog; Henry was simply helping where he saw a need.
Henry was a big man, but a gentle man. He was loved by everyone he met. Henry loved the Lord and had many words of wisdom. Henry was a humble man who touched so many lives. I don’t even know if Henry realized how many lives he touched.
Henry and my Dad were real men, both gentle and strong. They were men who would always be there for you when you needed them. I look forward to that day when I can sit down with my Dad, Henry and our very best friend Jesus, in the early morning and share. But for now I hold on to precious memories and I can still hear their voices.
Until we meet again my dear friend.
Love, Brian
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