Last week was supposed to be a time of celebrating my birthday... not that I was looking forward to turning 45, but I was blessed to live another day. And at the same time I was celebrating with a few friends, little did I know that on the other side of town, a friend that is like a brother to me would lose his second son in a motorcycle accident. I was informed Wednesday morning.
This incident almost mirrored a similar incident almost five years ago, to the same family, where their youngest 21-yr-old son was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident.
I was in shock. Still am a little bit. But it sparked my thoughts, and I thought I would share with you what Willis, the Mora family, and the testament to friendship really means.
Willis Allen, a special person... precious dimples, captivating eyes, and overall a great guy... a wonderful cook (he was the executive chef at Sambuca downtown and on the cook team for Dusty Bones Cook Team)... loved his family, his friends, his great dane and his life. He was always full of life, smiling, enjoying himself. The last memory I have of him was when at the 2016 World Championship Barbecue Cookoff, he was a finalist for his chicken. :) This was definitely a big deal. He was happy. His dad was happy. His cook team was happy. It was a good day, even though he didn't win, he placed something like 18th out of over 400 cook teams. So my last memory of him, he was happy, being celebrated, as he well deserved.
The Mora's... James and Barbara. I grew to be closer to them early in 2015, though I already counted them as friends... but there is something about spending time with people that just draws you closer. I am so thankful for that. They are just good people. :) Five years ago, when their youngest son, Rich, was taken too soon, I tried to think of anything I could do to help them. It's one of those things, you're not sure what to do, what to ask, what to say, what to give, what to bring, talk or stay silent... So I did what I do, and prayed that whatever I did was accepted. And it was.
This time was different. I spent more time around Willis than I did Rich. Our paths crossed on more than on occasion. I felt more sadness because I knew him better... yet, I still had that familiar sense of calm... because of my faith. Willis is now with his little brother, Rich, who he loved dearly, and missed every day.
Times like this show the true value of friendship. Love your neighbor as yourself could not be more evident as it has been this past week. Many people who came to the service for our hometown chef, were friends of his, loves, and acquaintances... but many more people who paid their respect, love who raised him.
