Readers-
I decided to dedicate this post to someone who made an impact on my life. Today, I learned that a friend of mine passed away from results of a motorcycle accident last night. I have never dealt with death very well. I always seem to push people away and deal with my feelings on my own terms. But I'm not looking for sympathy, instead I wanted to share with those of you who read this blog what Steve Henaman did to make me who I am today.
I first met Steve when I was 5 years old in preschool. I never knew him before then. There were only four boys and six girls in our class. I had known the other boys, Jess Ciavarelli and John Coyle, for a while through Sunday School but somehow Steve and I became great friends. We always fought John and Jess for the two fire helmets and we were the pilots for the make-believe airplane trip to Hawaii. After every day, he'd go to his grandpa's truck and bring me a piece of candy. Steve was my first best friend. After preschool Steve and I drifted apart a bit.
Steve had made a big impact on my life though. Throughout elementary school, I had difficulty "fitting in". I pretended to be someone that I wasn't. I made stupid jokes and, in a roundabout way, wasn't who I really was. In eighth grade, Steve said something to me that I have always held near to my heart. "Bob, you're a great guy and everything, but people like you more when you're yourself. You're a lot funnier and fun to be around. Be yourself."
If Steve had never said that I don't believe I would be where I am today. He gave me motivation and confidence in myself. I never thanked him for those words and now I will never get the chance. But God knows that I am thankful that He brought Steve into my life. He was a great friend and a pretty damn good co-pilot on the make-believe trip to Hawaii.
Steve Henaman February 1, 1989 - August 12, 2011
