Letting the river flow

I still remember when you whacked me upside the head at poker night and dared me to punch you.

I still remember when you made me drive you home after youth group many times.

I still remember when we were playing Ultimate Frisbee during youth group and we single-handedly led our team to a come-from-behind victory.

I still remember seeing you without hair, having to use a cane and miss processions at the beginnings and ends of church services because of chemotherapy treatments.

*****

There are so many memories; I don't even know where to begin. But I've begun already, and just let it flow. I was pretty sad when Kirby Puckett passed, but somehow I was able to put words together rather effortlessly compared with the present.

Now, well, it's much harder. Saying goodbye to a good friend of mine is never easy to do. It's also the first time for me. All the previous deaths that I have had to deal with were mostly my grandparents, and other older relatives (and one bird).

So this is the first time that someone from my generation (that I knew) has passed. And I was hoping this day would arrive as late as possible. But God's plan didn't call for that. So now I'm here, a little too stunned and in shock to try say anything. It hasn't really hit me yet; I'm sure it will, come Saturday.

*****

Honestly, I had wished I'd punched you in the shoulder. But now I'm glad I didn't.

I'd drive you from anywhere to your house again. Even at 4 in the morning.

I'd pick you on my team for Ultimate Frisbee any day (maybe not first, but I'd make sure you were on my side).

And I still have photos of you with hair (from the choir tour), now that I put them on Facebook.

Be at peace Allen. You are with God now. And I'm letting the river flow for you.

*****

Let the poor man say "I am rich in Him"

Let the lost man say "I am found in Him"

Oh let the river flow

Let the blind man say "I can see again"

Let the dead man say "I am born again"

Oh let the river flow, oh let the river flow

Let the river flow, let the river flow

Holy Spirit come, move in power

Let the river flow, let the river flow

Holy Spirit come, move in power

Let the river flow, let the river flow

Let the river flow

--Darrell Evans, Let the River Flow ["http://www.lyricstime.com/darrell-evans-let-the-river-flow-lyrics.html"]