Thanks, Mr. Bill

Growing up I had a friend named Mr. Bill.

Probably not the Mr. Bill you’re thinking of.

He was a school teacher and a leader at the church I attended. By providence, he had an interest in magic (the sleight of hand variety) around the same time that I did. We bonded over this shared interest. For several years we attended monthly FCM meetings and the annual local conference together.

On the drive we’d talk about life, scripture, philosophy, and whatever else we had on our minds. He was 40+ years my senior, but he treated me like an equal. We could speak the same language and both marveled at the same tricks.

Eventually I grew up and left home. Mr. Bill returned to his hometown in Louisiana. After a bout with cancer, he left this world in 2024.

Today is one of those days that I remember those times with Mr. Bill and wish I could tell him how much he meant to me.

He never talked down to me. He was always encouraging and suffered through my many attempts at pulling off the three card monte.

Thanks, Mr. Bill. You were an incredible man and I hope that I can tell you that someday.