My heart aches a little tonight for a family that has been a great influence in my life.

So today was a busy day at work - when isn't it?  I have been in training for two days and have stayed later than usual to respond to e-mails and get some tasks done once I am done as tomorrow is my Friday.

I try not to be on social medial during work hours and today was a perfect day of not doing this.  I arrived home and sat in exhaustion and thought time to get in bed and relax.  Which was promptly followed by... I need to check FB!!

The first post was from one of my friends who along with her parents, siblings and extended family, I credit and consider one of the greatest influences in my life.  They are the Browns.  The post I saw was posted around 7ish DST; I am in CA and it read:  

Today I lost my hero. I know it's all part of the plan but it's still hard to say goodbye to the man who taught me everything. I'm grateful that he taught me that families are forever. I know I will see my dad again. I know that while we mourn a great reunion is taking place in heaven. I love you Dad! You are my hero!

As I read this and tried to absorb what I read, my phone quickly updated with more feeds and I found myself in shock, gratitude and sudden sadness for a couple of reasons.  

The first being that I never really had the opportunity to tell Byron (Barney) Brown ho thankful I was for the way he chose to live his life, raise his children and how warmly he welcome me not only into his home but into his family.  

I loved spending time at their home on San Marino Drive in Buena Park.  He would greet me and ask me how I was doing and we would chat.  He would tell me stories about what was going on; or share something to just build my testimony about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or how he met his wife, their courtship, how they married, how the Cypress Stake came to be and just anything.  All these stories helped me set goals and have appreciation for many things.

I have been thinking for a couple of years that I wanted to go visit him and tell him and his wife Helen (Breezy) the above.  I almost had a chance when I visited TX a few years ago but as luck would have it, they were in CA visiting family  

The second was more for not being able to be close by to this dear family and be of service to them and my dear friend Liz.  

Well she and her family were there for me when my mother passed away and were there again a couple of years later when my step dad passed away.  

I have never forgotten the feeling of comfort Byron, Breezy, Liz and their son in law Joe gave me on that Sunday morning on December 26 almost 22 years ago.  A few days later, Liz and her nieces and nephews and I went to a YSA dance to celebrate NYE. Members of the family checked on me, gave me words of encouragement and  comforted me that night. 

Tonight, as I felt tears streaming down my face, I looked at the time and realized Liz may or may not be sleeping as it was almost 8:30 DST making it close to 11 TX time.  Honestly who sleeps on days like this but just in case she was I didn't want to disturb her.  I thought of posting on her FB status but I couldn't do it.  Why?  Because, I really wanted to be there for her like she was for me when I lost my parents.  

So I opted to text and quickly got a call back.  And you know she was her father's daughter being positive and comforting me. 

As we talked we recalled different times I had been to her home and just acts of service her father did such as bearing his testimony to me, telling me stories about church history, his life, and even coming to get a gun out of a dresser drawer we came across when cleaning my dad's stuff (which really wasn't a gun but rather a BB gun).  He laughed and told me it was ok and he was glad I felt I could ask him for help.  Yes, that is the kind of man Barney was to me:  Someone unselfish and willing to serve others.  

He instilled the values of working hard, serving and gratitude not only in his children but in those who came to know him. 

I am sort of ready to go to TX for a quick trip.  I want the Brown family to know how much I love them and I am grateful for them.  My heart aches a little, because I am not nearby to serve and support them but also because I too will miss this man who has been a great influence in my life and I never had a chance to tell him what an impact he had on my life. 
  
Thank you Barney for being a part of my life - you lived your life well and left an amazing legacy behind that will impact many lives in a positive way.  I am sure my mom is probably meeting you and thanking you for welcoming me into your home and being a positive influence to me after she left this mortal life. 

To those who managed to get through this, babbling thank you for reading and I encourage you to let those around you know how grateful you are for them.  Strive to be the kind of person that will be a positive influence on those that come in contact with you.  Be the example that Byron "Barney" Brown was to those who had the privilege to meet him.