VAHRZN JACXSOH RT7SS, JR.
When I think about Warren, I thinJc about that brash, everlasting
smile, I think about someone who was everbody's best friend, a true
big brother amd a devoted father.
When I think of Warren as a good friend, I think of someone who was
there when I needed him. I think of someone who liked me for what
I am, not who I am. I think of someone who was fun to be with and
knew how to have a good time. I think of someone that was sincere
emd I could trust. I think of someone I could lean on. I think of
someone who was always there to bail his friends out. I think of
someone that each of his friends felt they were his best friend and
they were. I think of someone that I could tell things to that I
couldn't tell my parents or anyone else. When I think of a good
friend, I think of Warren Rives.
When I think of Warren as a brother, I think of someone who always
thought he knew more than I did. I think of charisma. I think of
blue eyes and good looks. I think of brut strength. I think of a
bully. I think of the one who lead the way auid made most of the
mist2dces before me amd for me. I think of my first drink, auid our
G.T.O.. I think of hunting and skiing. I think of how to live
life to the fullest. I think of cars and speed. I think of
fishing. I think of Chapel Hill, basketball emd Jxibilee. Most of
all, I think of my best friend who was always there to lesm on and
to help make things right, to tell me everything is going to work
out even when I knew it was, but just needed someone to say so. I
think of someone who loved me and knew I loved him. I think of
someone who was everything that a big brother was suppose to be.
When I think of Waurren as a father, I think of someone who knew how
to get down on the floor or roll in the grass and play with his
kids. I think of a strong, fair disciplinarian. I think of a
Suburban full of kids. I think of soccer gaunes, deuice recitals,
camping trips. I think of beJaies asleep on his chest. I think of
vhat a real dad should be as illustrated by this note found hanging
on his wall written by Jackson several yeaurs ago when he was in the
second or third grade. (Printed on following page.)
When I think about what Warren would say right now, I think he
would be pissed off because life wasn't suppose to end this way.
I think he would be telling me to "chill out** and that everything
is going to be alright somehow. I think somehow I know it will
because even though he is gone, I know that he is still here
looking over my shoulder helping me madce sxire I finish what we
started.
But most of all, I think about that brash everlasting smile.
by Jefferson H. Rives
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