We’re a month away from the second year of the Godfather’s passing into eternity.
Sigh…Man, that first year was just awful, but this year has had it’s moments. Everyone that I still keep in contact with seems to be getting by okay. However, I still can’t say the name of Rich Fout without my eyes filling up like a mad rushing river. My heart is still broken. But the sting of his death seems to be a bit less overwhelming.
I’ve said it a thousand times before but it still rings truth,  those changing of Seasons will get ya. They’ll get ya good…like an outspoken Republican in an election year 😉 (that was for you Godfather).
Especially on a day like today. The weather is perfect. The days are starting to be longer, people are making plans for Easter, kids are out on spring break.
All I keep thinking about though is that two years ago this time, Rich was telling me he wasn’t going to go anywhere…and then he was gone.
He was gone.
I still feel angry.
Life moves on though. It always does.
Mark Kenney, Patrick Howiler and myself started a radio show. At first it was PMS (Pat Mark & Sheryl) but the three of us talked about it and thought it fitting to re-name the show the new VECTOR. A show Rich had from back in the day. I think all of the time what he would be saying  if he was here. Besides that famous cracked smile, the shaking of his head with that encouraging chuckle was all you needed to
know he approved of something you were doing. I swear it made you feel like you already had succeeded in whatever it was, lol
I miss his face man.
There will NEVER be another Rich Fout.
Callie said it best on Final Flight Ministries, “Rich had a way of making anyone and everyone feel comfortably vulnerable…”
I miss that about him. It never mattered if it was noon, dinner time or the bar closing hour, if you needed Rich you could call him. I was 15yrs old when I first met him at HeartSong on Olentangy River Road. It was Summer time when Mary Burnett picked me up and our afternoon drive to campus with our windows down, blasting Stryper as loud as the car radio could handle began…She said I needed to meet Rich. The door was open to the record store. We walked in and there stood Scott Walton in a Rez tee shirt and some cut off jeans. Rich was behind the counter when he looked at me and said “who is this?” Mary introduced me to both of them. I have never met anyone like Rich. Callie is right. Instantly I felt “comfortably vulnerable,” at home…I was in love with everything about the Godfather.  The way he looked directly at you when he spoke, making you feel like the only person in the room. His rugged look. Long black hair, fatherly laugh, his love of music and perspective of life and faith. Rich Fout was the most beautiful human being I have ever known. Even though I can’t pick up the phone or do a 3am run to White Castle  with him, I still feel his presence. My own children absolutely adored him and continue to talk about him with me, and to their friends who didn’t even know him… He was so loved and continues to be. I blog about Rich, tweet, post pictures on Instagram, it’s my way to assure that none of you forget about him.
Our Moses….
Our Spiritual Father…
Our dear friend….
This year is a bit different though. The starting of the New Vector, old stories about Rich being shared with new found friends…Instead of grief I’ve decided to celebrate. It’s the Godfathers second year in glory.
I have no doubt he hasn’t stopped shouting since he arrived and to this very moment is continuing to dance with Jesus while singing some good ‘ole fashioned folk praise with Larry Norman and Keith Green.
So raise a frosty (chocolate to be exact) and smile about his extreme joy. He is so very missed. But he wanted more than anything to see Jesus and to fly home. And he’s there, so happy anniversary Godfather….dance away…

For The Godfather

Selah,
CHERyL