Preston
There is a special young man in my congregation by the name of Preston Tyler. Preston is in the eighth grade and will soon make the jump from middle school to high school. A couple of years ago I had the honor of placing my hands on the top of Preston’s head and confirming him as member of Christ’s holy church.
Preston’s story is familiar. He was on the front page of The Monticello News a few weeks ago. A little over a year ago Preston began having seizures. After months of treatment with anti-seizure medication nothing improved his condition. This was followed by another round of testing at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia Regent’s University in Augusta.
The end result is that Preston is scheduled for a very delicate operation on his brain next month. Hopefully this surgery will correct the problem.
A few weeks ago Preston told me he was tired of talking about his medical issues. Therefore, I want to set Preston’s medical issues aside and talk about my friend Preston. Nine years ago when my family arrived in Monticello Preston was entering the first grade. I found it to be a lot of fun to be in his company.
One day I noticed some mischief on Preston’s face. I commented that I could see “devilment” in his eyes. “Devilment” is a perfectly good southern expression which means someone is up to something that will probably get them in trouble. Later I discovered the Preston had told his mother that, “Preacher John said my name is ‘Devil Boy’!” While we had a good laugh about it I never used the word “devilment” around Preston again.
A couple of years later Preston came into my office on a Sunday before Christmas to bring me a Christmas present. It was a plastic reindeer and when one lifted its tail it dropped little chocolate reindeer “pellets.” I still have that reindeer but I never could bring myself to eat any of the chocolate.
For a number of years I’ve had the honor of being an assistant coach for the Piedmont Academy junior varsity football team. Preston played on two of the teams that I coached and he was a part of two undefeated seasons. Preston always made football practice fun and the rides to the game entertaining.
Preston has always had a great love of nature and the outdoors. He loves to hunt and fish, but he always like to raise animals.
Preston has all sorts of animals at his house. In fact, I believe Preston could probably help Noah restock the ark.
Preston introduced me to duck eggs. One day he presented me with a dozen eggs. Most of the eggs were from chickens that he raised but about four of the eggs were duck eggs. I had never tried duck eggs before. I fixed one duck egg over easy and it was pretty good. The rest I used for making corn bread. The duck eggs made my corn bread richer.
Preston always gives me hard time about my rodent phobia. I don’t like rats, mice or anything that resembles them. The truth be told I really don’t like going to Disney World because of Mickey. A few weeks ago Preston had caught some mice. He tried to get me to hold one. I steadfastly refused.
I must tell my quintessential Preston story. I believe Preston was in the fifth grade at the time. It was time for our church’s annual youth ski trip. Preston’s brother Malcom had a junior varsity baseball game near Thomson on the day we were leaving for the ski trip. Malcom was going on the trip and Preston was going to tag along as well.
The plan was for our youth leader at the time, Wes Tanner, and me to pick up Malcom and the other boys on the baseball team who were going on the trip along with Preston and drive them to North Carolina for the ski week-end. Preston demanded to ride in my car.
As the supper hour approached Preston asked, “Preacher John can we eat at Hooters?” I said, “Preston, I really don’t care if you eat at Hooters but I really shouldn’t be the one to take you there.” Preston was silent for a while and said, “Preacher John let me know if you decide to stop at Hooters. I want to be able to dab on some cologne first.”
So it is that Preston will be having surgery next month that will hopefully end his seizures. Preston and his family need our prayers. The events of the last few months have put a great strain on a lot of folks that love Preston and that is a lot of people.
Though his family has health insurance the incidental costs associated with this issue are fairly substantial. Donation jars are set up at cash register of many local businesses. Accounts for Preston have been set up at both local banks. A dinner will be held Saturday, April 20 at Piedmont Academy in his honor.
Contact Judy Nelson at Piedmont if you would like to reserve a table of eight. Chaplain Kevin Hines of the UGA football team will be the speaker.
Our community is richer for the presence of Preston Tyler. Please give every consideration to helping Preston and his family. I understand he really needs a new bottle of cologne.