loss, beauty, & goodbye

[lightningspark]

at about 3:30 this afternoon, i lost a friend.

his son probably will not say kaddish for him, because they weren't close and the son's not religious.

so i'm going to do it.

Comments

[kitblonde]

That was lovely. I'm sorry about your friend, but it sounds like you gave him a lot to feel good about, and he did the same for you. A lot of people probably go their whole lives without connecting so much with someone so ostensibly dissimilar. You must be part of the same karass.
Now if you'll excuse me, I think there's something in my eye...

[lightningspark]

thank you. good vonnegut reference.

hope you're doing well, dear.

[lightningflash]

You have me in tears. I'm so sorry for your loss - my blessings on the spirit of the departed, and for you as well.

These stories are SO important to remember, and to pass down. Regardless of creed, race, gender - I know that probably sounds cliche, but I'm a historian and I firmly believe in that statement. Thank you for sharing his story.

[lightningspark]

when i was in nj, the job before the job i had when i left, i was the editor of a jewish newspaper. i tried, wholeheartedly, to get survivors on the phone and talk to them about their stories because they're reaching ages where it's either very hard for them, health-wise, or the world is just losing them right and left.

i got to talk to a few people. i intended to one day write a long series of articles on them, or work that into a book. it still could happen. but i started that project for exactly your sentiment above: they have to be remembered.

[gonzo_md]

i read every word of that. by the end, it felt like i knew him too.

this is the best thing you could've possibly done for him.

and for yourself.

[lightningspark]

i'm sure i'll end up telling you other tidbits. you two would've really liked each other. i guess i was thinking it but didn't write it... the end of that post was supposed to contain the words 'jack is survived by anyone who ever looked authority in the eye, smirked, and spat in its face.'

like i said, i'll be okay. it's just gonna hurt for a while. :(

[gonzo_md]

it's just part of mourning...it always lingers for a while because death is never easy to deal with.

i'm sure when the dust settles, though, and jack is resting peacefully, the effect he left on the world will be more visible than ever.

[lightningspark]

hugs now. and cats. and smooching.

tell me again why i'm at work.

[tygie_bard]

Jack sounds like a wonderful man and you were blessed to be in each other's life. He was a true survivor and a dear man. The best family often comes from the one you make for yourself.

You do him proud by sharing your memories and I confess to shedding a fair amount of tears while reading this. Thank you for sharing his stories. I think we can all learn from his question.

[lightningspark]

<3

[lightningspark]

i just realized what icon you used.

wow.

[rabies]

I didn't actually know him, but the few times you've told me about him have made me feel close. I'm glad that you had a good last conversation with him.

Thank you for sharing this.

And thank you for letting me know earlier.

<2

[lightningspark]

you're welcome.

<2