Many events take place in our lives that cannot be explained. In these times, we can only shift our head to the side and try to comprehend it in our minds.


My heart was shocked when I heard the news. My world completely stopped for several seconds (and yours did too, if you hadn’t noticed). Everything seemed to have lost all importance and meaning when I heard about the loss of one of North Carolina’s truest and beautiful souls. His name was Kevin Colson. To many he was family, to others he was more than just a friend. You may not have heard of his name, but he thought of everyone as a friend. He gave so much and asked for so little. He was able to reach out to people in the most amazing and unassuming ways. With his touching words, his guiding gestures, and his glowing presence, he quietly made the world around him a better place.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland

Kevin died unexpectedly on September 11, 2008. He was in a world of hurt as his brother had passed away a few days prior. Kevin loved his brother like any brother would. He would assist his brother in making doctor appointments, or be a listening ear if need be. Kevin put others before himself any day.

Kevin made the world a better place for all of us. He was a police officer for the Thomasville police department. Every time he put on his uniform, he had an obligation to protect those around him….once again putting not himself first, but rather the community that he served. At the end of his work shift, his work did not end there. His continuous concern for others was obviously his life’s motivation.

If tears could build a stairway, And memories a lane, I’d walk right up to Heaven And bring you home again. ~Author Unknown

Kevin faced the same daily challenges that any person would face. However, he seemed to have a heavier load of challenges than most people. Kevin was not burdened down with these challenges, like most people would be. Kevin never made his challenges the focal point in a conversation, as he would make the best of any situation.

Kevin was gay and didn’t think that he was any different than anyone else. He was a true inspiration in the GLBT community. He never thought he was any less or any more of a regular person. He knew who he was and accepted the way things were. His main goal was to teach love, acceptance, and understanding to those who were less informed. To him, we all have a purpose, yet I’m not sure if he knew how important his was. It’s clear many realized what his contributions were in this world, and he was amazingly successful.

He will be extremely missed by the community he served. He will continue to live on within the hearts that he touched so sweetly. My prayer is that his legacy will have a domino effect and continue to live on from one person to the next. He was an inspiration to me as he was not only a friend, but also a brother in our occupation.

The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God. ~Quoted in The Angels’ Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994


Kevin, you are now free. You are now able to live in a place that God created ever so special just for you. I know you will continue to be concerned about what’s happening down here. We will all see you again someday and be embraced by glow of love that you gave so generously. That part of you will never die and will continue to flow like a beautiful river in our hearts. May we all try to be more like you. Well done, my friend, well done.

Until next time, get involved and ENJOY life.

Remembering Kevin