A year ago, my best friend, Billy Atkins was
called home. Rarely does a day go by without thinking of him and it’s still
hard to believe he’s gone from our world. I loved him like a brother and I miss
him deeply. I know he rests in a better place and one day; we will meet again.
Billy was a husband, father, businessman and musician. He was well liked and would
give the shirt off his back to help a friend. In our younger days, he would chauffeur
me around the countryside until I was sober enough to drive. We would listen to music and
talk. I miss those talks.
Both our
hearts were in the same place talking about right verses wrong, honesty and our
beliefs. We had a lot in common.
I learned at his funeral service that Billy and
his wife, Michelle, donated the funding needed to excavate a well for
his cousin’s wonderful orphanage program overseas- Sending Hope International. The
program rescues children from the sex slave trade and provides hope. The water
used to quench those thirsty children will always be a gift from Billy and Michelle
Atkins.Their generosity touches lives daily and is truly something meaningful!
When Billy and I were single, I recall him always
being the last to be ready. Whenever a group of us were going somewhere, we
always waited for him. We did so because, we
knew it wouldn’t be the same without him.
But the day Billy was called home, I believe he
was ready.
About a week before his passing he sent me a
message and told me how proud he was of me. In 40 years of friendship, he never
uttered those words. It was almost like a parting message; as if he knew his
time was short.
Billy’s life was a song of epic and majestic
proportions. The melody was his good cheer and the chorus was his big heart. The progression of his life was a gift and his chords to us. His finale brought us to tears.
Now- he is waiting on us.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle Atkins, Dawn Kamen and their families, relatives and friends!
Until
We Meet Again,
Jim Carver
Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School
“Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
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