Wednesday, March 2, 2011

My Heart Has Joined the Thousand

I just received word that my friend Nick succumbed to cancer after a heroic year-long fight. Nick was a gentleman, a scholar, an athlete. He bore the burden of his illness with dignity and grit. Before he fell ill, Nick used to volunteer with disabled kids in an outreach program run by his taekwondo school.

For those unfamiliar with the post title, it's part of a quote from the novel Watership Down by Richard Adams: "My heart has joined the thousand, for my friend stopped running today." Nick was exactly the right age to read a book like Watership Down for the first time. Nick was the perfect example of the adage "The candle that burns brightest burns briefest." As much as I mourn the loss of the boy who was, I weep for the loss of the man he would have been.

My deepest, most heartfelt condolences to his parents, his big brother, and his little sister.
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9 comments:

  1. vacuumslayerMarch 2, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    I'm REALLY sorry to read this. My thoughts are with you.

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  2. TruculentandUnreliableMarch 2, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    :( I'm so sorry, B^4.

    He sounds like the kind of person we need more of in this world.

    My thoughts are with you and his family.

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  3. Adorable GirlfriendMarch 2, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Sorry to hear this. It's been a rough week for all several v. cancer.

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  4. Hamish MackMarch 2, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    I've saddened to read this 4B. it really does sound like the world has missed out on a great guy. Sympathy to you all

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  5. zombie rotten mcdonaldMarch 2, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Terrible.

    Best to you.

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  6. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©March 3, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    My Condolences, BBBB.
    ~

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  7. fishMarch 3, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Very sorry for you.

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  8. GlennisMarch 4, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Very very sorry. He sounds like a wonderful young man. What a sad loss.

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  9. FenwickMarch 6, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    "As much as I mourn the loss of the boy who was, I weep for the loss of the man he would have been."

    For that reason, it seems to me that when a child dies, those that love grieve twice. What was. What might have been.

    "Closed mouth; open arms". You are a wise man. Listening is perhaps the most supportive things to help others in times of grief.

    Another is to share how the person who is gone touched and influenced your life. But mostly listen. Expression and touch are more eloquent than words.

    I wish I had more eloquent words at this moment to express how sad I am for his family and for all who loved him. Including you.

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