The Camel Who Passed Through the Eye of the Needle - On the Road #31

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This particular letter from my email journal of the DIY booktour/roadtrip in 2005/2006 has nothing to do with that trip. Right after I had landed in Santa Cruz, my godfather, Bill Demetree, passed away. He was a very pivotal figure in my life, so much that I was compelled to write about him to my community in Juneau, Alaska who had never known him. Same thing with Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in the fall of 2005, I felt like a piece of my soul had broken off. Anybody who cares to read about that, click HERE.

Other than that, enjoy this ode to one of the great humans of my life, who inspired me to always remember the high road in the decisions I make in my life.

Hey y'all, 

I remember a few years ago, in that first year after 9/11, when many were paralyzed by fear of travel and becoming the tragic victim of a terrorist attack. Of course, the press did their part in to keep it that way, and a friend of my mother's came straight out and said it.

"I'm tired of being scared."

"Don't be afraid of life," said Mr. Bill Demetree in his usual, soft-spoken way. 

Isn't it funny how the truly wise man gives himself such a quiet presentation?

The world lost a great man today.

It seems like on my epic booktour/roadtrip, even death is a part of the journey...

I've been struggling to find the right way to describe Mr. Demetree. He was one of those old family friends - only by lack of blood are not a member of the family - who are so close. 

He was extremely supportive and loyal to my mother during some of the worst times of her life – the divorce from my father, the years she took care of Mimi (my grandmother) after her stroke, and of course, these last ten years after my mother's aneurysm.

Mr. and Mrs. Demetree were always there. 

Mr. Demetree prayed every day for Mom during the weeks she had been in a coma for weeks. We didn't know if she would live, die, or suffer some awful purgatory between life and death.

Mr. and Mrs. Demetree were there with us regularly, at the hospital. My memories of that time are unclear, but I’m pretty sure he kept vigil with us on the day of her surgery.

In these times when there are many who speak of doing the right thing, Mr. Demetree was the man who actually did.

Deeply religious in his Catholic faith, and with an integrity not even the devil himself could question, we felt confident that the spiritual connections of Mr. Demetree would carry some weight.

He was in business with my father and grandfather, and later my brother. Oddly enough, I think it was through business that Mr. Demetree came into our lives. Yet beyond business, he was also a friend. 

Anybody who knows the men in my family would agree that they made strange bedfellows to be sure.

But one thing that struck me about Mr. Demetree was the balance he managed between standing up for his beliefs, speaking out for doing what's right, alongside an attitude of non-judgment for those who listened to his advice, yet did not take it. He maintained his relationships with those who chose to live differently than he. 

The roles he played - business partner, friend, and even counselor, he was a man who led through action not word, always setting the highest example of dignity, honor, and integrity.

There's a saying that they don't make them like that, anymore...and frankly why the hell not? 

Those of us who had the privilege of knowing Mr. Demetree...let those seeds planted by his example grow in our minds, hearts, and souls. 

Let us become better people for the experience of having known a such a splendid human being. 

"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven." 

Said by: Jesus Christ, Source: The Bible. I don't know which book or verse, but I remember that adage clearly from memories of Catholic School.

Personally, I always thought that was harsh. But if there is a rich man who will, that man is Mr. Demetree. 

It has been many years since I've considered myself a Catholic, but I have never considered Mr. Demetree to be anyone other than my Godfather.

He will be missed. 

Montgomery  

PS.  And yes, I'll be there for the funeral.