How do you begin to speak about the loss of a friend? When you receive the word that they are gone, how do you control the emotions? I haven’t cried yet, but I know the tears are coming. I think parts of me are still in disbelief. It can’t be true. It’s not true. Or is it?

16 years ago I met my best friend. Donald Edmonds. He was 4 years older than me, so he was 13 at the time. He worked the candy counter at the Boys Club, where I had just become a member. I don’t remember exactly why or how it was that we became friends. I’m sure it had something to do with the fact he thought he was better at pool or ping pong than I was.

Almost immediately, Donald became a big impact in my life. He coached my wiffleball team, my kickball team, my flag football team… pretty much if it had to do with sports he was there. I remember one summer we started meeting up in the morning to ride our bikes together to the Boys Club. I’d get over to his house bright and early with two sausage biscuits from Hardees, and watch reruns of Fat Albert until he was finished getting ready.

As far back as I can remember, Donald was always putting smiles on people’s faces. I’m not sure that Donald ever met a stranger. He was so genuine. He loved everyone. I remember him being the face of the Boys and Girls Club for many years. All the parents knew him, and were used to his daily jokes. Even if you were in a bad mood, you couldn’t leave the Boys and Girls Club without a smile on your face. Not if Donald could help it.

Another place you were sure to find Donald was on the sidelines of a basketball court. Whether he had a clipboard in his hand as a coach or sitting at the scorers’ bench keeping score Donald lived and breathed basketball. To this day I’m sure he could tell you the stats of every kid that played high school basketball all the way back to the time they played Biddy Basketball and the Boys and Girls Club or AAU.

I could write all day about Donald. I could write about the things he did for me, or I could write about the all the things he did for others. The thing is there are not enough words in the world to completely tell Donald’s story. His time on earth was short. Too short. Now he is in a better place. A place without pain. A place without worries.

Donald was passionate about music. Anyone who knew him knew he had hundreds of cd’s and thousands of songs downloaded on his computer. Therefore – I’ll end this with a few lyrics:

It’s kinda hard with you not around
Know you in heaven smilin’ down
Watchin’ us while we pray for you
Every day we pray for you
Til the day we meet again
In my heart is where I’ll keep you friend
Memories give me the strength I need to proceed
Strength I need to believe

My thoughts D I just can’t define
Wish I could turn back the hands of time

I love you Donald. Rest in Peace my friend.

Donald Eugene Edmonds

7/18/78 – 3/2/07