I first met my friend Haymond nearly 4 years ago, and I immediately thought the world of him. And I’ll never forget the moment I heard he had passed away. In my short years in this world, I have met few people who are as kind, as caring and as genuine a person as Haymond Butler. Anyone who knew Haymond, knew that he had his quirks. I and others often simply referred to him as “Wolverine,” and he often introduced himself as Logan (Wolverine’s real name). He gave those around him different character names for the X-Men; for me I was the leader, Professor X. I don’t know why, possibly because of my receding amount of hair. For this reason he had a deep devotion to me, at times I would have to calm him down before he went off on someone who would be messing with me.
I have not been called by my real name by him in years, I answered to Professor like it was my own name, and he answered to Logan like it was his own. I looked forward to seeing him on Sundays and receiving his patented strong hugs, and on days when my back hurt I dreaded the extremely firm pat on the back. And now my Sundays will be incomplete without those hugs. Haymond was a smart person, he graduated with honors from High School. At times, he would be like Rain Man when it came to math. Many people never knew this about him, his playful awkwardness in social situations disguised his genius. I know he would have gone on to do really great things in life.
He fought with his siblings like everyone does, but only because he loved his family deeply. In every way, he showed DeAndre and Brittany what it meant to be a good brother. He became the man of the house, when his older brother Andre passed away tragically, and he looked out for mom and family with his big heart. He missed Andre so much when he was gone and listening to him talk about how great his brother was made me hurt so bad for him every time.
It hurt so bad to be out of the country when my friend passed. I take some solace in knowing that he has no more pain and no more seizures, and knowing that this is not the end. That someday we will rise up again and we will be together with Jesus. But for now and as long as I live, I remember my friend for the sweet, caring person he was.
