My Friend George

I’d say it was 1997, and I met this man - for privacy, I’ll call him George. George played basketball, guitar, went to church, wore a Kairos cross necklace, was from my home state, and gosh - he was genuine. He was an extrovert and an introvert. He was the first person I met in my life who talked about God and made it cool.

After graduation, I found myself struggling to believe. George took me to church. While others were hungover, we went to mass. On one particular Sunday sermon, the pastor talked about doubt—so much so that George was laughing at the coincidence—what are the odds the mass he invites me to—the pastor talks about doubt—the very reason he invited me? The sermon gave me concrete books to read and challenges on what to do if I doubted. It was chilling.

As the years passed, George and I occasionally met for a cocktail at a local establishment. As I talked about my pain, he looked at me with a vision and said, “God is going to do some amazing things in your life.”

What did that mean? What could he see that I couldn’t?

George wrote me a Kairos letter when I went on my first retreat. Neither of us knew that this little retreat would have made such and impact, and I would have immersed myself in a calling.

Decades later, when I was in a valley, George selflessly helped and wanted none of the credit. Always a steadfast supporter.

George is a friend you’d want in your life regardless of your mood. He has a sense of humor, charisma, morals, values, and he’s been a role model to me since I’ve known him. He helped me believe in something bigger - he helped me believe in the good in people. He helped me believe in myself.

I'm not quite sure where I would be without George’s guidance, support, and friendship. I hope he’s reminded of all the lives that have been affected because of his presence.

George changed my life, and by proxy, the lives of countless others. He started a ripple effect by talking about God with a curious woman who was lost and asking questions.

George - you’re one in a million. You’re a true-blue friend till the end, and I’m a better woman because of knowing you.