My friend Bob

To put it simply, my friend Bob rocks. When I met him a few years ago, I didn’t know what to think about him. It was clear to me from the start that he had to be pretty smart. He had hospital scrubs on and I figured he was a surgeon or something.

Not until after Hurricane Katrina hit did I get an inkling of what Bob was like (Respiratory Therapist, Husband, Father of 3 great kids, rock n roll drummer, Author, Volunteer Fireman, Jesus Freak, Preacher in training, and he makes a heck of a pizza). I knew that he had made several trips down to the region, as he is pretty fearless. Right after the storm he was there, on his own, going into devastated neighborhoods where firefighters wouldn’t go. One of his favorite things to do is to live out of his backpack.

He made the paper, though he probably didn’t want the publicity. One of his favorite sayings is “The front page is the best advertising.” It’s pretty clear to me that Bob doesn’t advertise for himself. He’s just in love with Jesus. Jesus said that the man with the greater debt would love God more. That’s absolutely true in Bob’s case, ask him why.

Just a couple of weeks ago Bob took me on a trip that I won’t forget. We went to Ground Zero in Manhattan. He was there 6 years ago after 9/11 and has been back every year save one. He snuck onto a boat to get to the towers on Sept. 12th, 2001 He spent the next week working the scene. We walked around Manhattan till our feet hurt seeing the sights and talking to people. Most importantly we paid our respects, listened to almost all 3000 names. I stood in awe of some of New York’s bravest: FDNY and NYPD. Bob was talking to a lady who lost a family member in the attack. She told him that she realized the first responders did all they could do. Those were words he’d waited six years to hear.

Bob goes and does, when most people stand around scratching their heads. He encourages me, asks me a million questions, and holds me accountable, for that I am extremely grateful. He is truly a brother in Christ.