THE WALL OF FACES

Chuck, Very few teachers understood you. If they had taken the time to see you as you were, that this rebel, this James Dean was only reaching out, perhaps you would have stayed another year in school and we would have had the pleasure of your smile forever. Instead, a distant war called and you were gone. Dear friend, if we had one more summer, one more day, one more hour we could have stayed a little longer, talked one more summer. Sleep comfortably friend for God remembers and loves you as much as we do. I know that God in his everlasting love for all cried as much as we all did when we found out. For God did not give you life only to let it be taken so quickly, so cruelly. May you find love and comfort in God's embrace.

How do you place words on a life filled with compassion and sensitivity? How does one share Chuck's clear blue eyes, and the thick blonde hair. His tough guy T-shirt and his jeans. My own James Dean. Only Chuck's cause was to be loved and accepted by people. He asked me for a simple kiss before his departure of which I gave freely. This young man that had always carried the tough facade. He said simply, "Diane, I have always wanted to kiss you." How silly that he felt fearful of approaching me. In that single embrace all the sweetness and love you could feel emitted from Chuck's soul to mine. He has forever been in my heart. Many a story I have shared with my children of this wonderful person we called Chuck. I know he looks down from heaven and smiles each time we think of him. The world is less one great man and one great family because of his loss. I have faith that Chuck is busy sharing love where ever he is. I love and miss you Chuck, you were an awesome young man and would have been an outstanding father and husband. Love from me.