One day, almost ten years ago, this man came into my family's life. His name was Walter Evans and he changed our lives forever and for good. My mom was formerly married to my father for over twenty-four years, and he was never very remarkable. After the heartache of divorce, my mother was very sad and lonely. But one day, Walter Evans saw her one day at Second Presbyterian church, and told a co-worker that he wanted to marry her. This was before even exchanging any words. My mom and he began dating soon after and were married on December 7, 2002. Walt, as he was affectionately called by Mom, my brothers, and me, was like someone sent from heaven. He was a model husband and father, and he never spoke a mean word about anyone. As strange as I am, he seemed to understand me like no other. For my mom, he provided a joyous love that she had never experienced. And for my brothers and me, he was the father we had always longed for.
And yet, the good die young and miracles don't seem to last. Walt died on Friday morning of a heart attack. We thought we were invincible and perfect, and this passing has seemed to shatter that image. But I am happy to have known him. His impression on me will last for the rest of my life, as well as the many lives he touched.
Yesterday, we held a beautiful memorial service for Walt at the church where he worked, St. Matthews Baptist Church. My brothers talked about him and I sang a hymn for him. There was a beautiful poem read, which talked about flying, because he loved airplanes so much. And now, I believe he is flying high above us, in the clouds. At the end of the service, there was a slide show with pictures of his life. This song from the musical "Wicked" provided appropriate background music:
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
[For Good lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better
And because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good
So, I just want to say thank you to Walt, for everything that you have done in this life. I will always love you.
