The Measure Of A Man

If one measured a man only by the number of people who call him friend, then Ron Kilkenny was an amazing man. When measuring by the number of people who call him their best friend, he exceeds measure.

Ron was taken from us far too soon. His sudden and untimely death has left many who called him best friend shaken. Facebook quickly filled with tributes to Ron as word spread of his death; many of the writers telling their story of why Ron was their best friend.

That is a remarkable man, indeed.

I, too, called Ron my best friend for 43 years. He changed my life and his passing will forever leave a hole in my heart.

We met as twelve year olds. Neither of us had a brother, so we became brothers from different mothers. From his consoling me just a few weeks after we met as I mourned the sudden death of my dad, to his loving concern for my son as he fought Lymphoma - twice, Ron was someone who cared. He was never afraid to demonstrate his love for others.

Ron was the first person to ever share the Gospel with me, and his example of Christian love was instrumental in my ultimate decision to commit my life and eternity to Jesus Christ.

We fought plenty through the earlier years; as brothers tend to do. We also got into a fair amount of trouble together. I'm sure his dad would have been horrified if he had known how Ron and I used to wander through the campground convincing people that I was Deaf and used that to garner sympathy - and snacks - from the other campers. Whether it was getting caught jumping off the garage roof or racing our go-karts down the hill on Ranch Drive when we weren't supposed to be out there or playing in the flooded creek, Ron and I were in it together.

Even distance couldn't destroy the special bond we had. Although we weren't able to get together often, it was as if we saw each other every day whenever we were together.

Our talks in recent years changed to talking a lot about our kids. Ron was immensely proud of Andrew, Ellen and Ryan - and for good reason. I could almost hear his chest swelling with pride over the phone as he told me about their lives.

Ron was a man of great character, and will be missed as the best friend of many of us.

Recently, Ron and I began ending our calls or messaging by saying, "I love you," to each other. I don't remember exactly when it started, or who said it first, but it became a regular thing for us.

I wasn't always the friend I should have been, but Ron was always there, ready to forgive and move on. I take some tiny measure of comfort in knowing that he knew I loved him, and I know that he loved me. I take great comfort in knowing that Ron now sits in the presence of his Savior, and that I will see him again.