Trying to find the right words to recognize my precious friend Wayland. I would like to start out with saying that he has been my neighbor and dear friend for 20+ years. I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that he is no longer here on this earth, and I can no longer look out my window and see him Walking back-and-forth around the neighborhood. I’m not gonna focus on the last chapter of his life, but I’m going to focus on his life the way that I knew him for all of these years. We designated him years ago as the daddy of the neighborhood because he took care of everybody’s children throughout the years.He made sure that he was always available. He took my son back-and-forth to school and to football games and watched the kids playing in my front yard or in my garage while I was at work and he always assured that everything was OK. He had a passion for animals and if he could, he would rescue every animal on the face of this earth. There are so many great memories about Wayland.He did live his life to the fullest, and even though he retired from Metro, he still had an eye for police business making sure that the neighborhood was safe. We really lost a pillar in our community. He would always recognize me and my son on holidays, Mother’s Day birthdays. He would always stick a card on my door. He would buy food sometimes and just hang it on my door and then call me and tell me that there was something hanging on my door. One thing that everybody needs to know is that he did know Jesus Christ, and he did understand the plan of salvation. He was attending a Pentecostal holiness church in old Hickory for a while before he fell ill. He’s not suffering anymore and he doesn’t have to worry about anything anymore because he has gone on to gloryland. I love him so much and he has meant so much to me over the years. I spoke with him Thursday night and he told me that he loved me and I told him that I loved him too and then Friday morning he was called home. I’ve cried my eyes out for several days. God gave us a heart. We are able to grieve. Even though I know he’s in a better place. It’s just hard. When you think of Wayland it should make you smile. We need more Waylands in the world. He had a dog trained to sing Rocky top. It was the funniest thing to hear that dog sing.He loved his daughters and family so much. It was no secret every morning when he disappeared around 9 AM that he was going over to his sweet mother’s to have coffee and sausage with biscuit before she passed away. They had such a great relationship. Please continue to pray for the family and remember to check on your family and friends and find peace with everyone. I know I am probably leaving a lot out that I should type and I know this memory is all over the place. Rest on that mountain your work is done..
Much love.Angie
