Tonight at about 10:20pm, BYU lost a giant fan.

Growing up, whenever I explained to my father that I wanted something other than what was being offered, his response was always the same, "Well, son, I wanted to play football for BYU, but things don't always work out that way." Tonight, Dad was reunited with his dad.

I loved my dad.

One quick personal experience if you'll indulge me, In August of 1994, I was trying out for a starting position on my high school golf team. It was Wednesday, August 24th, and I was in a playoff for the 6th and final starting spot. I didn't have a car yet, as I wasn't 16 years old. My dad had put my brother's clubs in the car, not realizing they weren't mine. Thus handicapped I attempted to play golf. Coming down the 18th fairway, I had an approach to the par 5 from about 135 yards out. I hadn't play very well, but was tied with my opponent/team mate. I looked, and there was my dad waiting for me to finish, standing by the green. I stepped up to my shot, and proceeded to hole out from 135 yards. My dad went nuts.

3 days later, my dad was comforting me as I learned of a close friend's death from injuries in a car accident. In the space of days I went from jubilation to desperation. My dad knew exactly how I felt. My dad's father passed away just weeks before my oldest brother was born. My dad was so excited to share the joy of fatherhood with his dad, but never had the chance. My grandpa never got to see his grandchildren on this earth, and that broke my dad's heart. My dad explained this to me underneath a starry sky on August 28th, 1994. "God is out there," he said, "He's real, son, and he's there. At times we feel alone, far away from anything, but call for God and he'll be there, but we have to look for him to see him. He doesn't always make it easy." It was the first time I remember my dad bearing his testimony to me.

Tonight, I bear testimony that God is real. He's there, somewhere. My dad is now with his dad, I'm sure they're already planning a fishing trip. Those celestial trout aren't going to catch themselves.

Earlier this year I had to catch myself as my nine year old exclaimed that he wants a brand new x-box with fortnight, my response was swift and made me reflect, "I want to play football for BYU, son, but somethings just aren't going to happen."

Good bye, dad. I can't wait to see you again.

Reid L. Beers Jr. BYU Class of '67