My best friend John died.

[mac56]

John passed away last week from complications of esophageal cancer that spread to his liver and lymphatic system. He was 48. His loving wife (who is my sister) and I were at his side; I'd been helping her take care of him during the previous week.

John was an amazing person. He started a radio station in outstate Minnesota nine years ago, and against incredible odds shepherded it into a success. He was the most intelligent and inquisitive person I know, with a fascination for knowledge of all kinds and an ability to fix anything. He had great empathy and perspective for the problems his friends were going through. He was also a lifelong Democrat, and a progressive in every sense of the word.

I still can't believe John is gone. He and I had been friends since 1968. I was lucky to know him not only as a friend, but also as a brother-in-law (he married my sister in 1983) and a co-worker (at the radio station). He slipped away quietly and peacefully as his wife held him in her arms.

I miss this man more than I can tell. Life feels empty right now.

[ewagner]

1. Sorry for your loss

Our thoughts and best wishes are with you.

[GOPisEvil]

2. My condolences Mac.

May John rest in peace.

[Ninga]

3. Let's Hope John will watch over us

and bless us with his light and care. Most sincere condolences to you and your family.

From NE OHIO

[demnan]

4. You have written a lovely rememberance of your friend

you must have loved him dearly - I am sorry for your loss.

[freetobegay]

5. Gone but not forgotten

Sorry for yoyr loss.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

6. Hang in there Mac. I'm sorry about your loss.

My prayers go out to your and his families.

[Red State Rebel]

7. Ohh...so sorry to hear of your loss.

It sounds like he definitely made the world a better place while he was here and that is the most that anyone can ask for.

I hope you and your sister are comforted with the thought of all of those he helped and influenced in his life.

[non sociopath skin]

8. Deepest condolences to you all.

The Skin

[indigobusiness]

9. My sincere condolences.

The good die young.

RIP, John.

[mac56]

10. Thanks, all.

I appreciate your kindness.

Though it's only been a few days, I know that John wouldn't want his friends to grieve overmuch, but to reflect on the good times we all shared. And then - keep on keepin' on - being kind to each other in the process.

Thanks again, friends.

[slipperduke]

11. Deepest condolences

Remember the good times, Mac. It sounds like you must have had plenty of them. The emptiness will fade in time, keep the faith.

Best,

Slipper

[democratreformed]

12. So sorry for you, your sister, and your family.

My deepest sympathies go out to you all.

[Rainbowreflect]

13. I am very sorry for your families loss.

You are in my thoughts & prayers. :hug:

[Bertha Venation]

14. oh, jesus, mac

I am so sorry. I wish you comfort and sweet, sweet memories to get you and your sister through the days. :hug:

[johnnie]

15. I am sorry to hear about John

I am sure he has found his peace. Hang in there.

[MissMillie]

16. My sympathy on your loss

How nice for you to have someone so wonderful in your life. I'm sure you'll remember him well.

[Lavender Brown]

17. I'm very sorry

:hug:

[ProfessorGAC]

18. Sorry, Mac

That's a shame. Awfully young, your friend John. Take care.
The Professor

[cestmoi]

19. I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend.

"Was it a year or lives ago
We took the grasses in our hands,
And caught the summer flying low
Over the waving meadow lands,
And held it there between our hands?" B. Carmen

I am very sorry for the loss of your friend. I wanted to share with you two poems written in 1910 by a Canadian poet, Bliss Carmen.

Low Tide on Grand Pré

THE sun goes down, and over all
These barren reaches by the tide
Such unelusive glories fall,
I almost dream they yet will bide
Until the coming of the tide.

And yet I know that not for us,
By any ecstasy of dream,
He lingers to keep luminous
A little while the grievous stream,
Which frets, uncomforted of dream--

A grievous stream, that to and fro
Athrough the fields of Acadie
Goes wandering, as if to know
Why one beloved face should be
So long from home and Acadie.

Was it a year or lives ago
We took the grasses in our hands,
And caught the summer flying low
Over the waving meadow lands,
And held it there between our hands?

And while the river at our feet--
A drowsy inland meadow stream--
At set of sun the after-heat
Made running-gold, and in the gleam
We freed our birch upon the stream.

There down along the elms at dusk
We lifted dripping blade to drift,
Through twilight scented fine like musk,
Where night and gloom awhile uplift,
Nor sunder soul and soul adrift.

And that we took into our hands
Spirit of life or subtler thing--
Breathed on us there, and loosed the bands
Of death, and taught us, whispering,
The secret of some wonder-thing.

Then all your face grew light, and seemed
To hold the shadow of the sun;
The evening faltered, and I deemed
That time was ripe, and years had done
Their wheeling underneath the sun.

So all desire and all regret,
And fear and memory, were naught;
One to remember or forget
The keen delight our hands had caught;
Morrow and yesterday were naught.

The night has fallen, and the tide . . .
Now and again comes drifting home,
Across these aching barrens wide,
A sigh like driven wind or foam:
In grief the flood is bursting home.


Lord Of My Heart's Elation

Lord of my heart's elation,
Spirit of things unseen,
Be thou my aspiration
Consuming and serene!

Bear up, bear out, bear onward
This mortal soul alone,
To selfhood or oblivion,
Incredibly thine own,—

As the foamheads are loosened
And blown along the sea,
Or sink and merge forever
In that which bids them be.

I, too, must climb in wonder,
Uplift at thy command,—
Be one with my frail fellows
Beneath the wind's strong hand,

A fleet and shadowy column
Of dust or mountain rain,
To walk the earth a moment
And be dissolved again.

Be thou my exaltation
Or fortitude of mien,
Lord of the world's elation,
Thou breath of things unseen!

[flamingyouth]

20. I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend

He does sound like an amazing person who will be truly missed. :hug:

[SiouxJ]

21. I'm so sorry Mac

Hang in there sweetie. My thoughts are with you.

:loveya:

[mac56]

22. Once again, thanks to you all.

Old friends and new. You folks are the best.

Lots of losses being discussed here today, and the outpouring of support and empathy is appreciated more than I can say.

Brief side note: My sister, John's widow, is going to keep the radio station going. It's a fitting legacy, and what John wanted.

[Darth_Kitten]

23. I am so sorry for your loss and pain

:hug: