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Bryson came on my mind as I was working today online. I felt I had to come and share with friends and family my memories of this wonderful young man.
I was too young for a permit but had to work to help Mother and was at my first job when I met Bryson in Atlanta in January of 1967.
He came into the restaurant, sat down and ordered coffee. I was nervous, hoping I wouldn't drop the hot cup of coffee on a police officer. He put me at ease from the moment he began speaking.
I'd recently lost a 25 year old brother ( a U.S. Army Soldier) and Bryson and I quickly became friends. I felt like God had sent him.
He was wonderful, the perfect gentleman, gave good advice and was wise beyond his young years.
Today, as I look back, I know I avoided many mistakes because I listened to Bryson. I didn't accept rides from strangers as I walked home at night from my job, because he warned me of the dangers.
I saw him less than 24 hours before he was taken from life. He was so excited about the new baby! His love for his wife and children was evident when he talked about them, which was often.
It's been 44 years and I've often wondered how his family was doing. My folks knew the Stinchcomb family too.
When I logged onto ODMP and saw Diane's recent message to her husband, I knew Bryson was watching her and their children from Heaven.
God bless.
RLG
September 23, 2011
