One of my best friends forever was TK Wetherell. We hunted, fished, and vacationed together for the years I knew him. I awoke this morning and he was on my mind and I cannot seem to quit thinking about him. I wonder what he is doing today. Since there is no time as we know it in heaven, I would imagine he is doing the Lord’s business at his own pace.
If TK didn’t know someone and they acted weird, he would glance sideways at me and refer to them as being a “strange duck” and then as often as not he would grin that devilish smile at me. If someone really knew TK they would rightfully think that TK was the strange duck himself.
Unfortunately TK died of Prostate cancer a few years back. Nonetheless, strange duck or not, TK enjoyed life. He had a big smile on his face and his dry sense of humor was hilarious. TK was a politician and had risen to Speaker of the house for several years and then President of FSU for eight more years. He hated formality and especially cocktail parties which unfortunately came with both positions. He looked far more comfortable in blue jeans which he immediately put on as soon as he got home There was nothing pretentious about him and in fact he took his numerous awards and deposited them in a dumpster a couple of years befor he died and said they were worthless tokens.
I led TK to Christ and smiled as he recited the sinner’s prayer while sitting on a bench fishing several years prior to giving him up to Jesus. I just hope I’m half as well liked and admired as he was. Unfortunately that will likely never be. His funeral was packed!
The one friendship he lost was with football coaching legend Bobby Bowden whom he had played for several decades beforehand. TK’s board of trustees told him he had to fire him and Bobby didn’t take it too well. At my urging TK met with him to try and iron out their differences and at least get his side of the story o n record, but alas it was too late and the ice never did melt. Bobby wanted one more year on his contract to secure himself financially. TK couldn’t allow that due to his board’s directive but tried to set him up with a very lucrative marketing plan for selling memoribilia with Bobby’s name on them, but Bobby spurned the deal from the onset. Sigh . . .
I know Bobby Bowden made it into heaven and I know TK did as well. It is my hope and belief that Jesus the ultimate Peacemaker finally brought them together. I guess I’ll find out when it is my turn to walk that valley of the shadow of death with Jesus at my side. TK was a fine example of a friend forever. I don’t have that many friends forever, and I try to hang on to the ones I do have.
John 15:12
Friends love each other the same way Christ loves us . . .
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!