My Friend Duane Brigman

I have a dear friend named Duane Brigman.  He is one of my favorite people in the world. He has been a friend to me when I have made it hard. He has stuck with me when it would have been much wiser to walk away.

He is a man’s man but he also has a tender heart for people. Tough and tender is a rare combination, he has it mastered. He is a velvet covered brick. He loves God with all his heart and soul, yet is not afraid to be very human and even allow his frailties to show. He also allows humanness in those around him without judgment and condemnation. He is a class act on a grand scale.

He sat with me in my lowest hours over the past couple of years and listened to the cries from my broken heart and spirit (I hate being a wimp. He calls me the sister he never had). But, he sat and told me about the good in me when all I could see was the bad. He looked past my many failures and found a few successes. I can’t tell you what those conversations meant to me. It gave me strength to press on and hope to someday again be a person I could be proud of.

I am grateful for him. I love him. He is my brother. He is what I believe a man of God should be.

We aren’t forwarding email kind of friends. If you send me an email that says "forward", I delete it. And, if it says I have to send it to 20 other people AND send it back to you...I send people over to egg and TP your house. Then I call telemarketers, give them your phone number and tell them you are ready to buy. But, I digress. I got a forwarded email the other day and because it was from Duane Brigman I stopped and read it. I was glad I did.

I am sending it on to you. Have a seat . . . Relax . . . and read this slowly.

 
I Believe...
That just because two people argue, doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, doesn't mean they do love each other.
 
I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
 
I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
 
I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words.  It may be the last time you see them.
 
I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
 
I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe....
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
 
I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
 
I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them.....and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, if a friend cries out to you.... you will find the strength to help.
 
I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything.

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!

Comments

[Joan A.]

SIGH!!! thank you SIGH!!!

[Janie]

WOW! I love your friend Duane:)

[Sarah Miller (was Beller)]

Yes he is a true man of God...He's missed in Ocala! So is your fam!!

[Jess]

Sarah!!!!! It is so cool to see your voice! Thank you for missing my family. We loved Ocala and so many really good people like your family.

You know first hand that our friend Duane is truly one of a kind isn't he? The world is a better place because God tossed in a few chunks of human like him in the mix.

How is your family? Give me an update. Please. Do you facebook?

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[Connie Ciarlelli]

This is such a nice tribute to Duane. I knew him in high school, and I always thought he was the nicest guy. He was kind to everyone and so much fun to be around. He made me laugh like no one else in this world. I have so many great memories of him, and I was so happy to re-connect with him after so many years via Facebook. I'm not surprised at all that he became a minister. He has always had such a great heart and a positive spirit. Thanks for sharing!