A year ago, a friend that I had known since second grade died. David and I went to the same elementary school but different middle schools and our church brought us together. His dad was our minister and David was the youth group “welcome” committee. He was a master at including everyone- geek, jock, shy, rowdy, every facet of the community was greeted.
David and I became closer in high school, spending endless hours together with a few other friends. We were never romantic, but siblings in Christ. David loved to be silly, to wrestle with cats, to wrestle in general. His mom, one of my “other” mother’s, would often come home to Kermit the frog hanging from the ceiling fan or something odd stuffed in the freezer.
Through David, I discovered Montreat and this is where I most deeply met God. The people of my home church and home life laid the foundation, Montreat began to build a deeper faith.
David and I went on to be on summer staff at Montreat together. We spent endless hours playing, worshipping, singing, meeting people, hiking, rock hopping, talking- being friends. Our relationship is what I want for my children and a huge reason I am in youth ministry.
We kept in touch through college and into married life but were not as close as we once had been. That is okay though I wish we had done better at remaining in each other’s lives. Nonetheless, he is part of who I am.
David has a great wife and two beautiful children that I pray for often. His mom and dad, real siblings, nieces/nephews and best friends are in my prayers often as well. At times like these there is no reason I can grasp for David leaving this earth. It does motivate me to be more present with those who are important in my life. It does inspire me to be a better “welcome” committee.
This community is not really the place I should share all of this information but I have been charged to pray and today, all I can pray is “Thank you.” Thank You dear God for David Bowden. Amen.
