It wasn't until driving through the light at 92nd and Colorado
Right where you'd turn to go to his new house
The house he bought so he could sit in the garage
And keep watch on his daughter as she played in the park across the street
That my eyes started to fill with tears
As I continued the drive up to Thornton Parkway
Thoughts of the times we spent together filled my head
I turned west and crossed over the railroad tracks
And I saw The Rock
Turning on Steele I parked and set the brake, and sat awhile
Thinking can sometimes be the most painful experience
Thinking about how this skinnny kid from a small town in Texas
Brought so much to the lives of so many
Thinking about how much my life was enriched by knowing this brother
Thinking about how much all of us were better for knowing him
Getting out of the truck I walked the block east to The Rock
A woman out walking her dogs wished me a cheery "Good Morning"
It was so hard to bid her the same in return
Then I was at the Rock, and I looked down at all the little mementos
I let the tears fall as they may
Minutes passed before I could move again
Bending down I touched the plaque with the fingers I had put to my lips
Closing my eyes again I imagined John as some fantastic cosmic cowboy
Riding a blazing comet across the star-studded firmament
With a smile and a laugh as big as his native Texas
Ride on, my brother, ride on
Chris, I didn't know you had a blog. I never knew you wrote this. It's beautiful, and I miss you and the rest of my Band of Brothers. Love you.
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