Last night (Oct. 29) my son lost his best friend. It wasn't a silly argument or even a misunderstanding. These things can be mended. No, the thing that broke up this friendship was a bullet. A hard, cold, steel bullet fired from the gun of a narcissistic man who needed some money. A bullet that tore through this gentle man and snuffed out a valiant life. The police say there were two gunmen. I don't even know how much money they got from the deed. Was it 30 pieces of silver, or more? The amount was small, ever so small for the price of a life.
You see, John Whicker was my son's best friend. I say this because over the years of their friendship, which began in kindergarten at Burton School in Kaysville, and ended tragically at 9 p.m. Oct. 29, John was always Grant's friend. No matter what the situation, John was always there. He was there in all the good times, and he was very conspicuous in the bad times. He was there when it mattered.Those of you who are mothers understand that some of the friends of your children are selfish at times and are not always honest in dealing with our sons and daughters. It frustrates you, and you wish your child would get a friend that would always be honest in dealing with your child. John was never dishonest in his friendship to Grant.
To say John was perfect might be an overstatement. John had some strange ways, like the time he rode his motorcycle from California to Salt Lake City to say goodbye to Grant at the airport before Grant went to Chile on his mission. This friend then turned around and rode his motorcycle all the way back to California so he wouldn't miss work the next morning.
Other unique things John did: He went hundreds of miles out of his way to visit Grant when Grant was in Nebraska attending dental school. It would have been much less traveling not to detour to Nebraska when John was traveling back East, but he wanted to visit his buddy. He worked in the rain with Grant to repair a hole in our roof when we took the swamp cooler out. He then came in the house and vacuumed and cleaned up the mess that the job had created. John did unusual things.
John always seemed happy and looked on the bright side of life. He was kind to little children and was so proud of his own two children. He chuckled deep down when his little Brennen would do something cute or wise. John's chuckle was one filled with pride for that little boy. He wept when Bethany was born and the life of his wife, Katrina, was threatened.
John showed a vulnerable side, one of compassion and love for his family. John was unusual in this way; he wasn't afraid to show his compassionate side. He didn't have to be "manly"; he showed honest emotions.
And so, for a small amount of money, John's life was taken from him, his family and his friends. His ability to support his little family and his dreams of the future were snuffed out in one brief moment. Last night my son lost his best friend, and we grieve.
Margaret Brough
Kaysville