Wednesday, December 22, 2021
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Brian,
I learned too late, the wrong way, and was in complete shock when I heard of your passing, the accident. Luckily, Rob sent me a message via Facebook.
I wanted you to know I understand the joke now you always told me, and kept telling me when I came down to NC for your Dad's funeral, but did not grasp it then and why you kept telling me it.. I literally thought it was because you were in mourning for your Dad, plus your comedy style, so I didn't think to much into it then, but nonetheless, it made me ponder why then, all the way up to last night, "Why?"
Seeing you refused, always said you wouldn't, and never came up to Cleveland, OH on any of your many "road ventures."
But you had no problem always saying to me...,
"My Dad always said if you don't like where you're at, you could be in Cleveland by Midnight."
Funny, when I came down there for your Dad's funeral, we stayed in your family cabin in the mountains. Years later I could not remember the name of the mountains you drove us to, as that whole visit was a blur, and we were up for many hours!
I couldn't sleep last night, and all I have been thinking about is how much I want to get out of Cleveland...
So you were on my mind all night/morning..
I finally looked up Greensville, NC to find out where and what Mountains those where your family cabin was located, for I just remember in hindsight how Heaven may look if One was to picture it... (Also, Till this night/morning, I still racks my mind when I try to figure out how, let alone make sense and understand how, I found my way to you guys in those mountains, in the middle of nowhere, after riding 12 hours straight from Cleveland, OH, only to be lost in pitch black mountains at the hour of midnight, on a motorcycle, in the rain, no phone reception, bike running on fumes, fog so dense, not a car, house, or light on or in sight for miles, I was literally looking for a safe place to just "pull over and bink for the night," and then somehow, and I think only through the guidance of the Lord Almighty, I found that little shop at the bottom of your cabin's hill, parked the bike, hiked up an gravel mountain driveway covered with overgrowth and fallen trees criss crossing it, selected because your parked "luxurious faded 10k gold minivan," gave me a renewed spirit in that darkness to battle on, even on foot, all being worth it, as then, a light on in a cabin hidden under decades of overgrowth, and two old military brothers waiting up and fill of spirit to welcome me! Yes Sir!!!.....)
It was One of the most Surreal moments that I will always remember vividly for the rest of my life..
Like a needle in a haystack...
.
.
Talk about being guided by God...
So
That rock you took us to the next day before the funeral, and those trails in the mountains...
(Which I wish you would have warned me about since I was wearing 99 cent disposable flip flops at the time! But hey! It wouldn't have been a "Brian" adventure any other way....)
It was....
Bald Rock/ Flat Rock with all the Graffiti..
I found it last night on the internet...
I looked up Greenville on the internet..
Typed in "Graffiti covered mountain Overlook near Greenville..."
And "Bam!"
There it was!
That is when I saw the city name...
"Cleveland"..
God!
I laughed so hard a moment ago!
Cause that was your humor!
So I did a search, to see if I could find the Parish name again you took us too..
And that is how I got to this page...
I am so sorry my friend!
Man, I am going to miss you brother!
You with J.C. completely now watch and look out for me,
"Will you please...?"
I am thinking of looking for a cabin just like the One we stayed at in those mountains to go live....
That's just what that place, and that moment did for me..
So thank you man, and, it was..
"Meant to Be..."
I remember you, Chris, and I talked and talked forever, just like in the military days..
Practicing that song you were singing for your dad….. Chris performing on the guitar! Man he is good! That was a nice thing you did!
I am so sorry about what happened..
You were too good for this cruel place, and I am happy KNOWING you are with good people, your family, and Jesus..
And I hope to, and know, I Will see you again soon. This life is really very short..
Anyway, I have been up all night, but I know you will get this message, as I just feel that this night was meant for me to write it to you, for why else after all that explaining in remembrance, would I alone in the still of the night be reflecting on the feeling of a moment that was shared and was, just the same.
Love ya brother..
See ya again!
