Stained Glass Windows...

It has been a month and 10 days since my friend Will McDermott passed away, yet everyday since I have felt like Will has been with me, on my mind and in my heart. It takes a person like Will to really show the world what real love looks like. I was lucky enough to know him as a friend, and as I have reflected the last 40 days, I am truly amazed at all of the things that Will did while he was here with us. Even though I only knew Will for a short 3 years while attending NIU, his impact on my life, and the life of others, will be with me for the rest of mine. Will was a beautiful person, a smile that lit up the room and a heart with unlimited kindness in regards to others. I will never forget the first time I met Will, my sophomore year, at the very beginning of the year. I had moved into Stevenson towers with my 3 best friends, and we were all in the common area enjoying the games that had been set up as a sort of welcome back for the students. I met Will while playing bags with my friend Jessica, and shortly after meeting him officially, he introduced me to his girlfriend, Lydia. As Jessica and I talked to the couple, we got on the topic of Athletes In Action. Will wanted us to make it to the first meeting that week, and after talking for a while, we decided we would love to come. As the year progressed, I regularly attended Athletes In Action, and although I sometimes missed meetings, I would look forward to running into Lydia or Will to catch up on what I had missed that week. I always thought it was so amazing that Lydia supported Will in everything he did, whether it be SAAC, AIA, or anything athletic. Even though she wasn't a student athlete, she still cared about it because Will did. Will was an exceptional and inspirational leader on campus and not just in athletics. I remember being so proud of Will for his representation of NIU at other schools he was involved with through AIA. When the tragedy happened on 2/14/2008, Will was selected to give a speech to all of the student-athletes at our dinner we had when we all returned to school. Will showed his faith in God through that speech, and the speech was so well delivered and written, it was no wonder he was choosen to give it. By the end of my Sophomore year, I had gotten to know Will and Lydia quite well and was so excited to be invited to their wedding that summer. Will and I also were excited to run together as president and Vice President of SAAC for the 2008-2009 school year, his senior year, my junior year. The summer before that year, I called Will often to speak about SAAC related things and just to catch up. The wedding was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to, and the reception the most fun. When we returned for the 2008-2009 school year, I was excited and anxious about being the leader of SAAC, but Will was always so supportive in meetings. Will pulled through so many times when other people dropped the ball, or didn't do what they were responsible for. Will and Lydia organized EVERYTHING for the Smash A Car fundraiser. I was almost embarassed at the fact that I didn't do anything more than set a date and help clean the car out at the junk yard. Everything Will did, he did 100%...I often found myself shaking my head at how humble he was, and telling him how much he does. He would always say "I don't do anything, I'm just the Vice President, you're the one who does it all Madam President"..and I'd always laugh. In my junior year, Will and Lydia impacted my life in many ways. They would have us over for dinner, to hang out, for Christmas parties, and I always felt so honored that two amazing people would want to have me in their lives. I loved that Will rode his motorcycle to meetings, and one day out of the blue he called me and said "It's a really nice day...you want to go for a motorcycle ride?" Just like that, for no reason, he outstretched his hand to me. Just like he had 1,000 times before by giving me rides to and from SAAC meetings, by staying after AIA and listening to me and talking to me, Will showed love like this to me. But not just to me...this was who Will was to EVERYONE. Anyone who needed him, Will was there. I always wondered how one person could take on so much responsibility and still manage a 4.0. But that was Will. I will never, ever forget what Will told me one night as I described the pain I was feeling over the loss of a friend. Will told me that he knew we would be friends again..and I said how can you know that Will? "Because Rachel, I have faith in people." One Sunday at church, my pastor recommended that we all write a letter to the person who had influenced our faith. I thought about it, and what it really meant to me. It really came without much reluctance to me that my letter would be sent to Will and Lydia. They needed to know how much they had changed my life, had shown me faith through circumstance, how much their suppor meant, and what an amazing blessing they were on my life. What meant the most to me though, as I remember Will, was the call I got the summer before my senior year. I answered the phone, and the voice on the other line said "Hello Rachel, this is Officer __ from the NIU Police Department" I was so afraid that I had done something wrong....timidly I answered "What can I do for you officer?" As the call progressed, the officer explained to me that Will McDermott had applied for a position as an officer on the force, and that they knew I knew Will well. I am proud that I got to brag about Will, his character, accomplishments, NIU pride, and how reliable he was. I saw him only a few times during my senior year, walking around at football games. I would always run up to him and hug him, even though he was so serious in his uniform. I know that I was not his best friend, or the person he was closest to, but that was how Will made people feel. He showed love that made people believe in themselves. He meant so much to me, and I know that everyone who knew Will felt the same way. It's amazing to me that I was able to be a part of the life and legacy that he left behind. I needed to put this out there, for the world to know, because it gives me comfort to recollect on his life, for the few short years he was in mine. Thank you Will. I will never forget you.