Gone, but not forgotten

Friends come, friends go. But for some of us, those friends are never forgotten.

When I was 13 my sister Betty and I started attending a church that had a great youth group led by Azalea Wise. Under Azalea's wise eyes and counsel, this youth group grew in number and spirit, gathering children in from Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area.

One family, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Hill in McClure, Ill., opened their home and farm up many times for this youth group, providing hay rides, horseback riding and picnics. Many friendships were formed and declared to never be broken.

But time moves on, and so do people. My childhood friends, Vivian Hill Butenhoff and Laverne Baugher Smith, and I grew up, married, had children and drifted apart. But now, for a few days we will be back together again. You see, Edward Hill -- Vivian's brother, Laverne's old neighbor and my first boyfriend -- died this past Friday, and we will come together to remember him and all the good times.

If I were to describe Edward with one word, it would be "character." Edward was a character. He was a good, kind, gentle man who had a good outlook on life.

Vivian, Laverne and I, along with his many other friends, will come together and remember Edward Miles Hill. He is gone, but he will never be forgotten.

SUE ROUSSEL, Cape Girardeau