I don't really remember the day we met, the how; or the why. I just know you were always there. Always showing up being your obnoxious self. I don't think I liked you very much when we first met, as I am sure there were things about me you found distasteful. We really didn't have to much to do with each other at first. We passed in the same crowd but, had little in common; or so we thought. It began by you asking me one day if I could pick up your daughter Melonie from school as you had to be in court. I agreed, and at three o'clock off I went to her school to pick her up. She was such a beautiful little girl, with her bright red hair and her green eyes, she looked like a small little princess. Out of that act of kindness began a friendship that would have people talking and wondering if we were a "thing" or just friends. Our friendship was so special that no one understood it, my husband Jason just kind of grew to expect you to show up wherever we were or went. And of course Melonie too. The friendship grew fast and furious, we were "buds" and I knew I could count on you for anything as you did me. There are so many memories that I have of you, of us, of Jason, me, you and Mel. A lot of people couldn't understand the situation, and would often ask me or you, even Jason what was the deal with us. How we used to laugh at that. "Can't a man and a woman be friends with sex involved?" we used to say. We went through so much together, you were Mork to my Mindy, Willie to my Waylon, Lewis to my Martin. You were my sounding board, my advisor, and my friend. The kind of friend that could disagree and still be friends. The kind of friend that could say things like, " Where did you get that ugly shirt?" and no one would be mad. You could tell me that I needed to lay off the pie and ice cream and it wouldn't hurt my feelings. ( Might get you a black eye, but that's all.) We could talk of anything from politics, baseball ( BRAVES), children, religion, no subject was off limits. My husband used to just drop his jaw when he heard some of the things we discussed. I could spill soup all over my dress and not worry about being "unlady like" and since you were single you could talk to me of your lasted conquest or girlfriend. Of course there were times that I would look at you and say, " That is a little more information than I needed on that girl" and you would laugh so hard. You were a staple at my home as much as flour and sugar, I couldn't begin to think of not talking to you or seeing you once a day. Every Friday night we ( the three of us) would get together at my house and play cards and fight over what music to listen too. You and Jason always wanted " The Moody Blues" while I screamed for "oldies". You were the "big brother" I had lost to cancer, and how many times I must have told you that over the years. You were there for me when my mom and my brother died within six weeks of each other. I could tell you my fears and dreams and ask for your advice. I admit some of the advice you gave me was well, let's just say; Thank God I didn't listen to you. Especially gambling advice. We had a friendship that few people have the blessing to receive. When you came to me and ask my advice about remarrying your ex. so that Mel would have her mom, I listened to you, and gave you my honest opinion. When you and Kim remarried I was very happy for you and Melonie. At last she had a family again. You did a great job raising her on your own for those four or five years, did I ever tell you that? If not, well you did! I know that you cheated at cards and that you and Jason would always send me to the kitchen for more snacks so you could look at my hand. But, that's ok I beat you two almost every time we played! Eventually Jay retired from the service and it was time for us to move on, it was almost time for you to retire and move back to Arkansas to be with Kim and Melonie. We kept in touch pretty closely for the first six or seven months, cards, call's and letters. Then as all things do with time, the calls got slower in coming, the cards got fewer and we each went into our own worlds. The last time Jay and I talked to you was around March of 1999. You were enjoying your retirement and coaching Mel's basketball team. I happen to be in your area on the 18th of Oct. 1999 ,as my sister and I were traveling home from Oklahoma visiting my son. I told her since we were so close to your home that we would stop and give you guys a call, maybe run by and see you. I placed the call to your home from a Cracker Barrel off the interstate, when Kim answered the phone I said "hey, it's me!" She then said, " Oh I have been trying to get in touch with you, since you had moved to NC I didn't have the new phone number!" " What's wrong ?" I asked. And then she told me, you had been in a car accident on the 18th of August, been in a coma; and just had recently woke up. But, the sad news was that for all intent and purpose's you were gone. The David we knew was gone, you didn't recognize your wife, children, mother, no one. I couldn't think, this is not true. I thought of your brilliant mind, your quick wit, your incredible trivial memory. How you were the one who always knew the answer to the "rock song" of the day no matter how obscure it was. The pinball wizard who had his name at the top of the list on every pinball machine from Biloxi, Mississippi to Little Rock. They say you are as you will be....... I can't stand to think of the vacant look from your eyes, the mannerisms of a three year old, sitting in that wheelchair in a dependent home. Of you not remembering the children and wife who so adored you. The man who had just rebuilt his life with the love of his life and had settled in to be " a homebody" no more running the roads as you called it. Is this the greatest prank you have ever played on me my friend? If so, I give; you win...Come out come out where ever you are! Your best bud...Lou! To you my friend, one of the songs you used to drive me nuts with....... Adios Amigo, adios my friend The road we have traveled has come to an end. Adios Compadre, what must be, must be Remember to name one muchacho for me. I ride to the Rio, where my life I must spend Adios Amigo, adios my friend! Lyrics by Ralph Freed and Jerry Livingston Recorded by Jim Reeves