Jeremy (I and many others just called him Frye) grew up with me. For most of his middle school and high school years, I was his Sunday School teacher. When our student choir ministry took summer mission trips, he and I always ended up loading and unloading equipment (Frye would do most anything so he didn't have to sing or "dance"). While he was in college, I hired him to work with me as a recreation assistant (since we lived near each other I offered to let him ride with me on his first day of orientation but when I got to his house he was still asleep). Eventually, we both ended up working at Sevier Heights together.
The last conversation I had with Jeremy was a phone call on Thursday evening that went something along the lines of:
Me: Hey Jeremy, can you make sure the wheelchairs get back in the rotunda after the wedding?
Frye: Sure, I've got a couple more things to get done and then I'll take care of them.
Me: Thanks a bunch. Have a great weekend.
Frye: You too, sir. You have a good evening.
He often called me "sir". Not because he had too. He spoke that way to lots of people. He was just a very well-mannered, likable guy. How many guys in their early 20's come by your house to see your first-born son and then willingly hold your newborn for a picture? Jeremy Frye did.
As I remember Jeremy Frye, I'm reminded of the following and so much more:
On this day last year, I had the horrible privilege of being in Jeremy's room with his family and some other close friends as he breathed his last breath on this earth. It was a moment and an event I will never forget. But there was, and is, comfort in knowing that his eternity was secured.
And today is a great day to be remembering Jeremy Frye.
Jeremy was such a great person to be around!
ReplyDeleteGreg,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this. Memories of Jeremy still make me smile often. I think of he and his family all the time. He was a great friend in high school and college and still kept up with me when I moved away. He called me after I got engaged just to say he was so happy for me and that he was proud of me. You are right, there are not many men in this world who are like Jeremy was. He was nice and hilarious.
On Thursday I was thinking about how his year in Heaven probably felt like no time at all to him. He's been praising God and spending time in HIS presence! I can only try to imagine how happy he is. Can't wait to be there with him someday. Thanks for writing this post.