Sunday, August 22, 2004
I left New Ellenton a long time ago but it was always comforting to know that no matter how long I had been away, some things would always be the same. When visiting my parents at Corinth Baptist Church I could always count on "Brother Bill" to give me that big welcoming smile and ask me how things were going in my life. He was that way with me when I was a little boy, then later as a young man and now, later still. He was always so friendly and caring, so interested in a boy from another generation.
But it wasn\'t me; that was just "Brother Bill" Braswell. He was a kind, good man who genuinely loved people in his gentle, unassuming, friendly way. Now he has gone on to his greater home and his family will miss him so dearly - we pray for you all. His church family and all his friends will sorely miss "Brother Bill" as well. When next I visit New Ellenton and Corinth Baptist Church I will, as usual, look for him and his large but quiet presence and things will not quite be the same. There will, for me be a pronounced void and it will be so different, so strange; a feeling that things have changed and they will not be the same again. That\'s the painful part of life - letting go of the things we love and the things we have known for so long.
But there is joy as well; we will see ?Brother Bill? again on the other side. When we arrive - one by one - Brother Bill will greet us. For his family, there will be hugs and kisses in a great and joyful reunion ? what an event for you all! For the rest of us it will be reward enough to see him walk toward us, put on that big grin, stick out his hand to us and say, "Good to see you again, how are you getting along?" And it will be so very good to see him again too.
We are all richer for having known "Brother Bill" Braswell.
Many thoughts and prayers for you Margaret, Debbie, Trudy and family.
Sincerely,
Bryan Goggans
