Rest Well, P.K.

     Last night as I was prepping for work I turned on the news for the weather report & forecast as I usually do. The breaking news was a double homicide in Jackson, Mississippi. I had one shoe on and the other in my hand when the reported said on of the victims was Percy King, age 57. My first thought was that it could not be my old friend, P.K....
Then his picture came on screen and I froze up. Percy King who I always called "P.K." shot dead along with another younger fella.

     P.K. was known all across central Mississippi as "The Snake Man" who went to any charitable function, did birthday parties, etc. along with his traveling menagerie. I met him before he bought his first snake, was with him when he did (and I believe he bought a caiman as well). A more gentle soul I have never met. Always smiling even when, in his own words "was having a bad hair life".

     I cannot say "P.K. was..." or that I loved him. He still is and always will be as long as us who met him remember him. I will always love him as the beautiful and beloved child of God that he is.

     I can forgive those who did me wrong. But the rat bastard who took P.K.'s life did far, far more. Percy was a shining light in and for the city of Jackson where there are too few shining lights. He brought happiness, love and joy wherever he went. I'll have to pray extra hard for God to let me forgive P.K.'s killer.

     In my 58 years on this Earth, I have lost many family and friends through various causes. This is the first time I have lost anyone to murder. The whole idea of murder is just so alien to me. I know many times I've said I wanted to kill someone  but that was just gassing off at the mouth. Especially someone as loving and lovable as P.K. who I can't even imagine having one enemy in the world.

     Sorry if I'm starting to ramble but I'm trying to come to grips with this thing.Last night I don't think there was 10 minutes he wasn't on my mind in one way or another.

     I guess in closing I'll just say this...

Rest well, P.K.
I love you like a brother from a different mother. I'll see you again when my time comes.