We miss you, Reid…Really!

I will never forget the first time I met him.  We were both scared and backward first graders feeling our way through the first day of school at Guthrie Elementary.  Before the day was over, the news of an unusual ability he possessed spread like wildfire.  A dust storm rose as tennis shoe clad youth raced to the playground to see the kid who could ride the Merry-Go-Round without getting dizzy.  Around and around he spun in a blur yelling, “Push me faster, faster!” I got dizzy watching him fly around and around for what seemed like eternity.  Unfortunately, the Merry-Go-Round of Reid Kimbrough’s life came to an abrupt end, much too soon, on Tuesday October 20, 2009. 

Reid Kimbrough was able to create a lifetime of memories in 50 very short years.  One of his many gifts was making people laugh.  He was able to create laughter by using snide remarks, well placed quips and facial expressions that would have been the envy of the best Vaudevillian comedian.  Jerry Seinfeld had his Kramer and Guthrie’s Class of 1977 had Reid Kimbrough.  During his funeral visitation, friends shared memories and exploits of his eventful life for over two hours.  Later, as I walked to my car, I realized my face and sides were hurting from the laughter of our shared experiences in the life of Reid Kimbrough.

We miss you, Reid…Really!