About a week ago John Breaux died.  He was hit by a car as he performed his daily good works.  John rode his bike all over our town picking up trash, opening doors and other random acts of kindness.  He wanted to be like Jesus – helping and serving others whenever he saw a need. 

 Some said something was wrong with him, what normal person goes around picking up the messes of others?  Why is a stranger going out of his way day after day to help others with a kind word or to carry groceries?  What’s wrong with him?  John was different.

 He lived by the motto, “I am my brother’s keeper.”  Every day he practiced this belief – with an open smile & kind words as he picked up discarded coffee cups and stray candy wrappers.  He chose to make a difference – not because someone asked him to, but because he was compelled to serve from deep within.   

Remarkably thousands of people went to his funeral yesterday – not because he solved a financial crisis or invented something great, but because he was.  He was a great man, although I doubt he would think of himself that way.  He was grateful to be of service and through his many small, quiet acts of kindness his greatness shown through to all.  Rest in peace dearest John.