ANOTHER TRIBUTE! Last week I shared thoughts about a childhood friend who recently passed. Today, I have every reason to celebrate with a childhood friend who has been greatly blessed. His name is Ron Buford. Ron and I grew up in Cleveland in the Lee/Harvard area. I moved to this particular street in 1969, the year of Jackson Fives, Stop the Love You Save. The year of Edwin Hawkins, Oh Happy Day. Interesting how certain music, for me, reminds me of varying point in life. Growing up on that street, from about 12 onwards, I can claimed many friends who lived on the same street; however, Ron was different. His parents wouldnt permit him to rip and run and tear up the city. He never threw a football, with us, in the middle of the block. He never stopped over to the house and played basketball in my backyard. In fact, hes never ventured, as far as I knew, to the opposite end of the block where most of us hung out. This perplexed me so I went to find out about this kid. No, he wasnt strange in the sense of some debility or having a horn growing, or a third eye. He had parents who deeply loved him and wanted him to have a good environment, even if it meant not hanging out with the kids down the street. So, while many of them ridiculed him, I investigated. In fact, got so I invited him to attend church with us one Sabbath and had him over to share in a vegetarian meal my grandmother prepared. Our friendship was established. Hadnt see him from 74 until about 1999, when I inquired about work at the headquarters of his church through a mutual friend who I encouraged to leave where we worked, who found work there. Having a responsible position and involved in the Lords work, would be apparent from his early beginnings. And now through the wonders of Facebook, met up once again in 2013. Now with a head of white hair whereas mine is gone, it is so good to hear of his recent birthday and his being elected to the pastorate of a congregation in California! Congratulations, my friend. Well deserved and most definitely in His plans. That congregation has no clue of the fine man who represents Christ. While many will call you, Pastor Ron, to me, you will always be Ron, that kid from down the street, who I respected then and with whom I respect today. I may never see you again with these eyes down here, but well ge together and toss a ball around in Glory! You can catch, can you? Youve got some proving to do, my friend.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 04:17:44 +0000
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