I just got finished posting a message on George's Officer Down Memorial Page
http://www.odmp.org/officer/19604-game-warden-george-harold-whatley-jr.
There are so many times in our life when we loose people we love but they were never able to know the impact they had in/on your life.
In my case...I can think of 2: Ken (my 'step-grandfather') and George (friend/Texas Game Warden).
Yes, I have lost more than 2 people in my life...but those people knew how I felt...knew all the things they had done for me because of conversations, letters...etc!
However, in the case of Ken & George I am saddened to say that I don't feel that way.
I remember one day when I was in Texarkana for a visit and my mom and I stopped by Albertson's to pick up some groceries. I told her that I really wanted to buy a card for Ken, to let him know how thankful I am for all that he is doing for my mamaw (who has Parkinson's disease). My mom said okay...so she continued her shopping and I went down the card aisle where I spent at least 15 minutes trying to find the right card. (I AM SUCH A CARD PERSON!) I found the perfect card and purchased it. Today...it still sits in my closet. I bought the card, my trip in Texarkana ended and once back in Athens (at that time) got caught up in my own life and then literally 2 weeks or so later Ken passed away. There was the card, there was my saddened heart....what was I to do now? I thought about sending it on to his family, but I decided to keep it as a constant reminder to never let this happen again!
In the case of George Whatley it is somewhat different. Chad and I met George about 5-6 months ago when we moved out here, to the West! I will never forget the first time I met him...he was sitting in church all alone. From that moment George made a lasting impression on my heart. Here was a man who could've stayed in bed, who could've gone to work...etc. His family was back home, in East Texas, and it was Sunday morning...and George was in church all by himself. PRAISE GOD! From that day on every conversation that I had with George taught me something. From conversations about Kelly (before I met her), to conversations about the boys (before I met them)....the smile on his face...the love in his heart...AMAZING! What an awesome husband and father to talk about his family the way he did. Our conversations about church, about God, about the Bible, about people we know...this man was a true man of God. I will forever cherish each and every moment that we had with George. Some good/fun times with George at our dinner table (the meatball sized hamburgers that Chad made...haha)!
...Yes we were all laughing so hard that I took a picture! =)
The stories on the sofa about lessons he was teaching Sam & Seth. What a great man who will forever be missed by so many!
I wish I would've told George what a great husband, father, friend he was. What an awesome partner and friend he was to Chad. Surely he knew...but wouldn't it have been better if I could've told him.
These are lessons that I continue to learn, and are so hard because we just NEVER know when time is up.
So call a friend, write a letter, send an email...and don't let this happen to you.
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