I first met Byron Chute over 30 years ago when I did a week of VBS programs for the Casco (Maine) Alliance Church.  He was one of the adult helpers, and we would chat when my part of the program was over.  I don't remember a lot from these conversations, but I distinctly remember that he gave me a tarp to protect my props from any rain that might find its way into my prop trailer.  This was the first of many acts of kindness this faithful believer shared with me.

Fast forward from that first meeting to 2017.  My family was looking for a new church home, and after many visits to many local churches, I told my wife that I couldn't shake the thought that we needed to try Casco Alliance.  Sure enough, after our first visit, we knew we were home.  And who did we sit directly in front of, but Byron and his wife, Carlene.  Thus began a friendship that I teasure deeply to this day.  After church we would talk about hockey, the Red Sox, Jesus, and every day life.  He always asked about my ministry of the Supreme Court Jester, and was always so encouraging.

Somewhere over the months that followed, his encouragement grew into practical support, and soon he was providing all the gas money needed for traveling to shows.  In addition, he repaired several props for me, built a beautifully constructed vanishing box (used in every LOL show since, and in SCJ shows on occaision as well.)  He even bought us fire wood for several consecutive winters!  Byron was the true definition of selfless generosity. 

One Sunday I performed my herringbone cigar box balance in church and he noticed that my boxes had seen better days.  They were, in truth, 40 year old cardboard buidling blocks I had bought used from a preschool in the 1980's.  I told him their history, and thought nothing more about it.  Then, a coiuple of weeks later, when Sue and I arrived home from work, there was a package on our porch.  Inside were brand new, professionally made juggling boxes designed specifically for this trick.  

Then he was diagnosed with cancer, and began going through a variety of treatments.  The grace and faith with which he handled this was truly inspiring.  One Sunday morning - again after church was over - he said, "You know, I've been thinking.  And I might just like it if you could juggle at my  funeral.  I haven't decided yet, and I'm not sure Carlene would go along with it.  Just think about it.  Sorry I can't give you an exact date of when it will be."

I was stunned.  Of course I said I'd do it if that's what they decided, but I never heard about it again, so I thought the idea was dropped or forgotten.  As Byron declined, he wasn't able to come to church much, and eventually he entered hospice care.  I visited with him a few times at his home (I wish it had been more) and we talked about hockey, the Red Sox, going to meet Jesus, and every day life.  His prmary concern was that he leave this life with grace and as a good testimony to others.  As always, he was selfless.

A day or two after he passed, Carlene called and told he Byron had, in fact, shared his idea with her, and she'd like me to do a routine at his celebration of life.  Of coure I agreed, and of course I immediately began worrying about how  to do this without it coming across as insensitive or out of place.  The Lord put it on my heart to do the cigar box herringbone balance routine.  I think Byron would be pleased with that choice because he provided the props I used, and more importantly, it's a routine that very directly points people to faith in Jesus.  

As the summer of my 62nd year is winding down, and I get tired at times from traveling and doing shows, I think of the encouragement Byron gave to this ministry, and those memories encourage me to press on.  Rest well, my friend.  I look forward to a reunion in heaven some day.