Wes Moorhead

I find it interesting, do we select our closest friends, or do they select us?  It is hard to say at what point they feel like family.  It is gradual and feels normal to be in the same space and time.  Once upon a time Becky and I were tennis partners and now we are more than that.  As Becky and I became closer she told me about her husband Wes.  Wes was sick.  Becky was always worried about him and would tear up from time to time thinking about losing him. As she and I became closer and I spent more time with them as a couple.  Usually we would meet at her house to go play tennis with Becky and often Wes would show me his projects. He loved to show me his little MG kit car and the latest modification.  I was fascinated by his collection of molds that were for making vintage bullets for his old antique guns.  Like my Dad and my husband, he was passionate about his projects.  We talked about his Military background and his love of fishing.  I always cracked up because he loved to fish but wouldn’t eat fish.  Wes also spent a lot of time at our house for dinner parties and gatherings.  He was usually pretty quiet when in a crowd so I never knew if he was having a good time or just being kind to show up when invited. 

In many ways, Wes and I are a lot a like.  He always preferred to be doing something. He also loved taking the time to show you how to do something that is useful.  Talking is fun at times but the best way to connect to another person is to be doing something enjoyable together.  He took Mike and I on a ride in his boat on Lake Granbury years ago.  It was our first time on that lake.  He knew that lake inside and out.  I love that he was enthusiastic to share his knowledge with us. 

I would tell Becky that my Father would love Wes.  They have so much in common. Then one day when my Father was visiting from Kentucky we scheduled a fishing trip with Dad and Wes.  They had an instant friendship.  My Dad loves to fish.  Wes taught him how to catch Striper.  He said they would go catch the bait with a net and then go to the spots where the Striper fish were hanging out and catch these big fish.  My Dad even sent me a picture of one of the fish they caught on my cell phone.  From then on when my parents were in town they would schedule fishing, shooting or eating at the Firehouse Café.

In February of 2014 we went to the shooting range in Cresson.  Wes had this old automatic antique gun and some other guns.  He really wanted me to shoot this old gun that was very strange looking.  Frankly, it was kind of scary but I didn’t want to disappoint him.  So he trained me how to use it and I got my nerve up to aim and pull the trigger.  It was the coolest handgun I have ever fired.  We shot for a while and had a great time.  My Mom and Dad and Becky were there.  We have this very cute picture afterwards that is one of my favorites of all time.  It was the last outing that we would do together.  

Becky decided to quit most of her tennis to stay close to home.  I did get to spend time with him at their house and that was quite nice because Becky can cook.  As Wes was getting weaker I would try to come and spend more time with them.  It was breaking her heart to see him home bound.  She would start to cry and I would tell her that Wes has it too good and he wasn’t going anywhere.  That would always make her smile.  But yesterday she lost the love of her life.  I saw her realize one of her biggest fears and I am helpless to do anything, but love on her and let her know I am still here to be her friend.  Becky and Wes had the kind of relationship that everyone dreams of when they are a little girl.  They are soul mates.  They had ultimate love for one another.