It was about this time of day two years ago that I was watching something on television but was preoccupied with thoughts about my friend John, Hoss, Bubba, Chico, Gross, Grossman(that one he hated, Id say it to rag him) all the names I used when referring to or talking with my best friend---Man I loved you so much..... John was in emergency surgery and vy this time hed been in the hospital for close to, if not more than 2 months. It had been about 2 weeks give or take, since I had spoken to him via phone and I had last saw him around Thanksgiving when he dropped by the house and spent the night, a memory that is cherished for a lifetime. Many of us didnt realize the seriousness of Johns condition til the last few days of his life or we were in denial. It had been several years since the aneurysm scare that he had miraculously survived, so if you were like me, you saw John as almost invincible, nothing could take him down. I was starting to get antsy so I went to my computer and checked out Johns FaceBook page and learned the news. I immediately called Jeff, and he said, yeah Johns gone Clint, Im calling family and you were to be one of my next phone calls. I muted the phone and screamed then cried, I dont think Jeff heard me as I cursed John for leaving. I ask about Johns children, his mom and told Jeff if there was anything I could do, tell me. Thing is Jeff did more consoling of me than I did him. You know even now when I talk to Jeff and we get to telling a John story, Jeff is still the one that has the strength. He is solid, John would be so proud. How did I meet John you ask, well it all started with an introduction by Nauder Khazan via a 3-way call. If you knew Coach well you know he was a firm believer in networking, and that was the reason that the friendship of a lifetime came into play, thanks Nick, you gave me the best friend Ive ever had. I didnt attend Johns funeral, times were tight, I was a struggling songwriter, living here in Nashville, a career choice I had made in mid 2010, and had done so with Johns encouragement. Yeah, Im quite sure I could have made it, but for one of the few times in my life I felt a real loss, I felt grief and almost alone. I also had an important meeting with a publisher that would be missed. I also knew that the feeling of loss I had, could also be a distraction, thus in my heart of hearts I know I made the right choice by not attending, but in my heart, mind and soul, I was in attendance. The day they laid John Preston Gross to rest, for me they buried a dad, a coach, a mentor, a counselor, a pastor, a lawyer, a brother and my best friend. God only knows how his blood family felt if that was the loss I experienced. Today I have already shed a few tears My Friend, checked out his FaceBook Page and afterwhile Ill call Jeff the brother my friend left me. I am sure well talk for a few minutes about the good old days, how we wish we could spend some time with Coach again, share some laughs then hang up the phone and both never mention the tears that once again feel our eyes. I miss John, but I dont think Im crying for him as much as Im.....
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 16:53:17 +0000