Sierra Kay
So yes, my mind rejected the fact that Willie passed.
And even now, I realize my grief ain’t shit. His wife
lost not only her life partner but a man whose heart
beat in tandem with her own. Her children lost their
father, the epicenter of their family. His job lost their
Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources person.
In the realm of social media where relationships are
widespread but shallow, we lost a man who understood
what friendship means. I hope that’s a lesson for all
of us. Friendship is not a post on Facebook, Twitter,
or Instagram. Friendship is not a like or a comment.
Friendship is being present. It may not always be
convenient or fit neatly into life. It’s a decision.
At the end of every 24-hour cycle or each 7-day
week, we’d all do well to find the friends slipping
through the cracks and bringing them back up. Hear
a voice. Text them. Send an email. Hell, write a letter.
The United States Post Office will thank you.
As the packed pews in the church at his homegoing
celebration can attest, the waves of support, generosity,
and love—even when it was tough love—that Willie
sent out impacted the lives of many. I didn’t know
85% of the people there. But I do know that at any
point in the future I could call any of them and say,
“I’m Willie Bobbitt’s friend,” and whatever is in their
power to give is mine.
In a selfie culture, where we are encouraged to focus
inward, maybe it’s time to change our point of view.
Tap the water in the pool of our lives to share our
blessings outward. Be the impact on someone’s life
instead of waiting for someone to impact us.
All we can hope for is a legacy that extends beyond
our years on this earth. Willie accomplished that.
Even the part of me that is crying like I’m watching a
Hallmark movie on a Sunday afternoon c an smile and
say, “Well done, Mr. Bobbitt, and thank you.”
Sierra Kay has an M.A. in Writing from DePaul University, won a Nuyorican Poets Cafe Short Story
Slam, participated in comedy fests as a member of the writing teams for Spankx and N20 Comedy.
She also writes poetry and suspense novels. Obviously, she’ll try anything at least once. Her two novels
From Behind the Curtain and In the Midst of Fire are available online. Learn more at sierrakay.com
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