Catfish, Fried Hard!

Proverbs 18:24 24 A man who has friends [a]must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Quick Word: Catfish, Fried Hard!

As you read the title of today’s quick word devotional you may have wondered if I had lost my mind. Today is one of my best friends birthday, we have been friends for 25 plus years having met and serve together in the Army. We were fortunate to serve on staff together and later to serve as Company Commanders at the same time. We have a tradition since retiring to treat one another on our birthday’s. We go to Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and my friend would order his drink, an appetizer of fried alligator, and then every year, he would order the same meal, the fried catfish platter with fries and then he would say to the waiter, “ Catfish, Fried Hard”.

Last year we didn’t go to Pappadeaux’s for his birthday. No, it was not because of COVID-19. You see my friend, Rich passed away and went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, December 14 2019, he was laid to rest with full military honors on Saturday, December 21 2019 in Laurinburg N.C. Last year because of my personal grief, I didn’t go to Pappadeaux’s. You see my friend and I were close, his Mother nicknamed us Batman and Robin; our friends called us Biggie and Puffy. But when we were together, we were just Rich and Willie.

So this morning, I thank God for a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Although, he is not physically with us, his friendship remains. I hear his voice, I hear him laugh, I hear the echo of him calling on Saturday mornings saying get off the couch, I’m on my way to get you. My beloved brothers and sisters, treasure your family & friends, tomorrow is not promised to any of us. The good news is that Rich had another friend and his friends name is Jesus, and twenty one months ago Jesus came by, picked Rich up and carried him home to glory. This weekend, I‘m celebrating the life of my friend, I’m going to Pappadeaux’s, I’m ordering the appetizer of fried alligator and the fried catfish platter and as the waiter prepares to leave the table, I’m going to say, Catfish, Fried hard!

Rest Well my friend, I’ll see you on the other side:

Major (R) Richard E. Cureton Jr.