My Friend Luster Lee Knight

My dear friend Luster, or "Knight" as we all called him back in the day, died last Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 of cancer. He was my friend for 40 years, and my first real boyfriend in high school and into my freshman year at college. I always knew that he was honorable, caring and giving, but after attending his funeral and seeing all the lives he touched, I was humbled to see just how much he sacrificed for others. He spent every waking hour serving others. What a wonderful example of Christlikeness. It filled my heart with joy to see his mother witness the exceptional tribute paid to him and all the pomp and circumstance offered up in his memory by the Alameda County Fire Fighters he served with.

He was a retired AC Firefighter after 29 years, and had only just retired last year. Just to get sick with cancer. Ironic isn't it? But, God is sovereign, and this was His plan for Luster's life. And, what a life it was!

Luster and I had the kind of "comfortable slippers" friendship that got more comfortable with age and time. We talked every 6 months or so. Sometimes we would bump into each other at events, and greet each other like we had just seen each other just yesterday. We had an understanding, a love that nothing diminishes, and regard for one another. We would have done anything for each other. Only, he hid from me just how sick he was. Right to the very end. He hid this from us all. Even his family.

I struggle to accept that I won't see him anymore. His chuckle as he entered a room, calling me "Darlin' " over the phone as he asked how I was, watching that bigger than life saunter he had when he walked. He owned real estate in my heart. And now there's a hole in it. I feel like a piece of me has died. Death is so hard to live with. What a terrible price to pay for sin.

I will miss him so much. I do miss him so much. Come Lord Jesus, Come.