Solitude

Gripped by grief today. I got news early this morning that a former student, Greg, was killed in a car accident. Greg, appearing in the doorway of my office, filling it not only with his physical presence but with his personality. "Jax!" he would boom. "You busy?" Never too busy for you, Greg. And he would sit and we would chat forever, sometimes about his program, courses, instructors, but more often about life in general, politics, education, family, writing, creating. A fascinating man, full of insights and experiences that contributed so much to our class, his classmates, my life. Generous to a fault, not one to suffer fools, massive intellect - a writer, an artist, one of the really good guys. His bear hugs, freely given, would envelop me and anyone else lucky enough to be loved by him. Another member of my NITEP family taken too soon. He will be so missed.
I went to the sea this morning and wandered the docks and the boardwalks, thinking of Greg. This solitary man reminded me of Greg, with his ponytail and goatee. The way he was sitting holding the ends of the chain and the rope, apparently lost in contemplation, struck a chord.
I'll sit in my garden this afternoon, thinking of all the great memories, all the good times and conversations, honouring my friend. The news of Greg's passing hit me really hard.