Not just a reporter, but a friend

I believe Chris and I first met when I was considering running for this office. It was before he had editorial responsibilities and he was free to share his opinions with me (not that it ever stopped him). Chris was a sports writer, and he liked a good competition and I think everyone likes to root for the underdog, and he found one in me.

Chris was fascinated by politics. He was a democrat, in the best sense of the term. He was always “for the people”. He was one who didn’t like to sit still and he saw the need for changes. It motivated him. It stirred his passion to make the world a little better. Chris came to Lansing to follow me around one day. He was doing a “Day-in-the Life” piece. I was so touched and so proud and so humbled that anyone thought my life was worthy of spending a day with. Chris could make you feel like you were the most important person in the world.

Here he was, young, successful, and passionate, and he still wanted to hang with me. He made me feel great. I trusted him and my trust was well placed. He gave you his attention and his time. He gave it willingly and happily. He even laughed when my jokes were not funny. I was pleased to introduce him to my colleagues in the Legislature, not as a reporter, but as a friend.

When he had his heart problems, he was not afraid to share what he experienced with his readership, in great detail.

I will never forget him sharing his awakening as he peered into the eyes of his angel Jill. He wanted everyone to learn what he learned: the importance of loving your family; and the neverending love of a family who always calls you to be with them.

His courage in sharing this very personal saga spoke to what so many of us fear to speak. It spoke of love and the ability to get back on the horse - no matter what life throws our way. It also makes this tragedy so difficult for us to accept.

His vocation as a journalist was such a big part of Chris’ life. But that term seems some how lacking because it was much more than that for him. His life was about touching, molding and lifting up the lives of others. That often meant going above and beyond the call of duty. It wasn’t just about writing about sports or the community or putting out the paper, it was about touching and transforming lives so that his readers might have a better future. Chris gave himself to others in everything he did.

And he accomplished great things, not for himself but for the sake of the athletes he wrote about and the community he loved. He did whatever it took and challenged others to do the same.

Chris, like any good editor wanted to get the story right and he never quit until that happened. But it didn’t happen that way this time. We demand a retraction. Your story, my friend, cannot end here. The story continues for Jill, Kylie, and Hope; It continues for his family, his extended family, his friends, and for the community. He so much loved his girls.

He told me the story of naming the baby. He knew that this world was dishing out some tough hurdles for our children’s future. He wanted so much for his girls, for them to have a chance to excel. And it dawned on him - he wanted Hope.

The greatest tribute we can make to Chris is to have a change of our own minds and hearts and actions. Unfortunately, we cannot bring him back into this life.

However, we can honor his memory by transforming our own lives, imitating what we all saw as the good in him. The past cannot be changed; it can only serve as a classroom to learn what we ourselves can do in the present and in the future.

Yes, now we see dimly. We do not always understand God’s will or purpose, but we know that God can make all things new. We trust in His love and mercy. So we put our trust in you God.

“But with God, all things are possible.” (Mt. 19: 25-26).

Someone once wrote:

“If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all prejudice against my fellow man. Give my sins to the devil. Give my soul to God. If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.”

Thanks be to God for sharing Chris with us. Bless and comfort us with your Spirit as you welcome our brother in your arms of love. Amen. (Rep. Brown gave this tribute at Chris’ funeral.)