My ol’surf duude buddy, Byron Lewis, was a dreamer. He still is, even though he sadly left us too early in 2017…
A few days before he died he called me and left a message on my phone in a whisper, “duude, come over and go for a walk with me ‘n William.” This was our last short walk together on the trail in Little Whale Cove…
I walked over to his house then. He stood on the porch with William, his furry loved one. Byron walked with William until he couldn’t…
Byron never gave up, not ever. He showed me not to ever give up too…
I helped Byron come down from the porch. I took his hand and William’s too…
Byron was very frail by this time. I didn’t want to believe my friend was dying. He never ever gave up, not ever…
We walked slowly on the trail to the little bridge that goes over from Shining Mist to Nesting Glade. Once we got to the bridge where we stood under the big fir tree, Byron couldn’t go any further…
William stopped too, and looked up at both of us. I saw sadness in William’s eyes…
I remember standing there holding my friend’s hand for what seemed like the longest time. Then, he looked up at me, and said with a whisper, “I’m dying duude, I’m dying Steve…”
I think we held on to each other for the longest time and cried together, He then said to me, “I love you, duude ” I said, I love you too, duude…
Then, he said to me for the last time, “promise me duude, don’t forget our dream, dream big, Steve, dream big.”
So, I made a promise to Byron in that moment to never ever give up on our dream of building CFLAT to make a difference for the kids…
Byron is the Co-founder of CFLAT. The inspiration of CFLAT, and still is…
We now launch the next chapter of CFLAT’S journey for all the kids who need us the most…
Byron remains the spirit of CFLAT. “I’ve kept my promise to us and the kids, duude. Rest in peace now, my friend ❤ “
Children and Families in Life After Trauma (CFLAT)
