Growing up, Goofy Steve wasn't the brightest crayon in the box, but he sure was the funniest, and I was proud to call him my best friend. It was a typical morning in Old Mrs. Crabtree's fifth-grade class at Mt. Olive Elementary School when he bounded into the classroom, took off his hat, ruffled his strawberry red hair and made his big announcement. With a Cheshire cat grin that folded his freckled face into one big freckle he proudly said, "Look everybody! A cow just licked me!" and pointed to the back of his head where the hair stood straight up. Goof was, of course, referring to his cowlick. My best friend was once again acting goofy. Like I said, it was a typical day in Mrs. Crabtree's class.

Goof's parents had only been married for 10 years when they had him. After his mom came home from the hospital with their new bundle of joy, they bought a new television and put it in the bedroom. Goof was their fifth and last child. Godwin E. Steve; he never told us what the E. stood for, but we all guessed it was Edward. He had three older brothers and one annoying big sister. His big sister we rarely saw, her being all grown up and married. Luckily, she only came around during the holidays 'cause she wasn't very funny. Guess that had something to do with being raised in a house with four brothers. Nothing funny about being teased by your brothers - unless, of course, you're one of the brothers.

Goof was the youngest of the family, but by far the funniest. His three older brothers also had a little of the funny gene; I guess it just ran in his family. But when it got to him, it didn't stop growing 'til it spread over his entire body and he was funny from his head to his toes. Goof had a high voice that squeaked when he did something funny, was the tallest kid in our class at almost five-foot-five, and the skinniest one too. Goof had thin arms and long lanky legs, a face full of freckles, a head full of strawberry red hair, and a little jerky bob when he walked. And he was the best darn dodge ball player in all of fifth grade. Heck, he was the best darn dodge ball player in all of Mount Olive Elementary School. Goof could dodge anything, even spitballs thrown by my arch nemesis Down the Street Bully Brad. Just wish I could've.

His mom always made him wear plaid pants and plastic pocket protectors, sometimes even when he wasn't in school. Goofy Steve was, well, for lack of a better word, Goof was just plain goofy. He wasn't perfect, but he was my best friend in elementary school, and all the way through Briarwood High School, home of the mighty Buccaneers. Goof was always around with a smile on his face and I never saw him in a bad mood. Even that one time when he knocked Bully Brad off of me, when he got up off the ground he was smiling from ear to dirty ear. If it wasn't for him Bully Brad would have beaten me to a pulp that day.

Dad used to say that everyone has a purpose in life, even if it that purpose is to set a bad example for the rest of us. I think he was talking about Bully Brad when he said that. Looking back, I believe Goofy Steve's purpose in life was to be my best friend. He was always there when I needed him. Growing up with Goof I learned a valuable lesson. Friends don't have to be perfect; none of us are. They just have to be friends and be there when you need them.

For the last 18 years I have had a really good friend. He has now taken a new job and soon will move away. I wish Bobby and his family all the best. I hope where he is going he can find someone to be as good of a friend to him as he has been to me.