For the Memory of a Lost Scout

My wife felt bad for me because I have funeral duty, as she said. Since I work from home and have a freer schedule, I am the designated attendee for funerals. I feel someone needs to honor the deceased and I know that other people have to work, so I accept this duty as an honorable assignment, until today.

A couple of days ago, I got an email from a Scoutmaster of a Boy Scout Troop I know saying that one of his Scouts had died of Juvenile Diabetes and he was asking for Scouts and Scouters to attend the funeral. I didn’t know the Scout, he was just 11. I felt the need to attend, this was not a hardship, but it was the hardest funeral I’ve attended.

There was a wake held last night. I knew I could not do that. I’ve been involved with Scouts for 10 years as a leader. I’ve known 100’s of boys. I’ve seen 11 years olds grow up to be really fine young men. I’ve dried some tears and yelled at a few. I’ve coached a lot of them. And I’ve loved them all. They are my sons. And because of other duties, I’ve probably met nearly a thousand boys, chatted with them, kidded them. All 11 to 18. I’ve attended 20 to 30 Eagle Courts of Honor over the years and I don’t know how many troop Courts of Honor. I’ve shook so many little hands over the years.

And yet this morning, a hole was punched in my heart for a little boy I’ve never met. Because I’ve met this boy a hundred times. Except I saw them grow up. This little boy won’t because of an awful disease.

I can’t say anything to comfort the family, friends or his fellow scouts. I can’t say anything to the Scout leaders that he looked up to. But I can say, please contribute to end Juvenile Diabetes so none of us have to see this again. Give at Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.