#LoveMoore

I don't know what this post's going to look like. I want it to be joyful and full of witty dad puns, but I need to warn you it may be messy because I'm sitting in a coffee shop in everett with tears in my eyes as I write type these words because I am reopening wounds that have never healed. Here we go.

On April 21st one of my buddies, Woodrow Moore died. Woody's passing was sudden and shocking. I never allowed myself to process his absence in my life. I felt guilty mourning him because I wasn't as close to him as his other friends. I didn't have time to slow down to feel sad. I was also afraid to slow down in attempt to figure out what it would mean to no longer have Wood be part of my life in fear of falling into a sadness that I wouldn't be able to come out of. The consequences of try to run from the truth of my friend's earthly absence is now catching up to me. I fear that I need to try to reopen the painful wounds that Wood left when leaving earth to go home with our Father.

I will no longer have Trueman Show moments with him on campus, I can't have awkward yet heart filled conversations in my room, I will never receive another squirrel comic, never will I be able to look at Woody and have him speak directly to my heart with the words that our Father gave him. Woody had an astonishing capability to love me and others exceptionally well. Every interaction that I had with him left me feeling loved and worthy. Lord, I miss that boy. I will always miss him. Here's the thing, because of Woody's love for the Lord and his bold ability to love me and others, I've learned a new way to love people.

Woody's still very much here. His body may not be functioning and I may not be able to hug him anymore, but I know he's here because of the way that I see people loving each other. Woody will always be part of my life. He pops up where I least expect him. He pushes me to love others well and be joyful in all I do. I never heard Wood complain in a serious manner. He knew life was too short and his mission was much bigger than earthly trials.

This morning, as I was driving to have a cup of coffee with a dear friend a wave of grief hit me as I missed my friend. On the back of my car, I have a window decal that says #lovemoore in remembrance of Woodrow. As I stopped at a traffic light and glanced in my rearview mirror, I saw the driver behind me develop a great smile as he pointed to the sticker, nudge his passenger and mouth Love Moore.

Wood, you're still making people smile. I miss you. Everyday. I promise to try to love people as well as you did, although you were able to do it on a level that I didn't even know that people were capable of. Thanks for loving me. I can't wait to see you soon.