Need to share. Freshman year of high school, my very first day in 9th grade, I was lost, nervous, and no idea what to expect. I was walking through the halls trying to find my next class when I tripped over someones feet sitting against the wall. I hit the ground and my books scattered through the hallway. I looked up and the guy I just tripped over was standing above me. I jumped up and was asked if it was my first day at Arab. I responded, yeah it is my first day, Im only a freshman and have no idea where my next class is. I think it was Coach Stephensons biology, but that is not important. The guy I tripped over gave me a second look and said, youre only a freshman? He then proceeded to help me pick up my books and point me to my destination. As I gathered myself this guy gave me a slap on my back and said, dont worry, we all have our first days, and sat back down. I walked to the end of the hall and asked someone I knew who the guy was I just tripped over. It was Wayne Mills. A couple of years back, some 23 years after that first day of high school, I was invited to a party in Union Grove with a live band that a lot of Arab alumni had planned on attending. I walk into the bar where the band was playing only to see the same guy that tripped me playing his guitar on stage. Not thinking that he would remember the freshman kid that tripped over his legs some 20 plus years before, I walked outside, sat on the porch, and proceeded to drink the bottle of Jaeger I had brought with me. After the bands first set the drummer came outside and stood beside asking for a light. I gave him a light, we exchanged some small talk, and I asked him if he had went to Arab. He said no, but he knew Wayne had and if I was in his class. Of course I wasnt, but told him I remember Wayne from school. The drummer finished his cigarette and as he went inside told me he would send Wayne out. No more than a minute later Wayne walked up and asked me how the rest of my first day of school had gone. I was astonished that he remembered the incident and recognized me from that day. We sat on that porch and talked about nothing important, but talked as if we had been friends for those 20+ years. I passed him the bottle of Jaeger and a few shots later, and a few minutes of friendly banter he thanked me for the drinks and started to walk away. As he reached the door he turned and said, just remember, we all have our days. Now while many of you have far more memories, and probably much more colorful stories of Wayne, I only had the chance to talk to him these two times. But both times I did have the fortune of speaking with Wayne will stick in my memory forever. He took the time those many years back to help a lost freshman pick up his dropped books, and years later took time to share a drink on the front porch as if continuing the conversation from our past. It broke my heart to hear of the tragedy that occurred today. The world has not only lost a great musician, it has lost a great human being that while he may never of known my name, treated me as if he had always known me. My heart and prayers go out to the family of Wayne, and to all those in his life he treated as a friend. He will be missed.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 03:33:22 +0000
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