:mattLandia:

Today my family lost a keystone in the premature passing of our beloved David. I'm not sure where to start the mourning of his death, so I'll start here.

Keystone -
n 1: a central cohesive source of support and stability; "faith
is his anchor";
2: the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
[syn: key, headstone]

I can't think of a better word to describe David. I can't imagine visiting Pensacola without him there. I can't imagine the hole that will be left in his premature departure. The grief I feel is unwanted and deep, yet I can't imagine the feelings of David's wife and young sons. I cannot guess at the reasons God may have for David's sudden exit from the here and now.

So I will do my best to remember what I do know:

That David was the closest thing to an older brother that I have ever had. That I have never laughed harder than in his company - never. That my tastes in music where forever altered when he forced me to listen to the Human League and Eddie Grant. That he has always been the embodiment of charity, long suffering, and quiet virtue. That he has always been the moral compass of my family's generation.

Granddaddy, our king patriarch, passed a year ago. In Granddaddy's final years and after his passing David quietly assumed that mantle. His immediate, extended, and church family all saw in David the same qualities of greatness that were present in my granddaddy and my greatgranddaddies before him.

In my heart of hearts, I know they are all together now, sipping rootbeer, eating fried chicken, and watching over the sun set over their beloved Pensacola.