I have been fortunate that in my life there have always been a few influential friends, usually older, and certainly far wiser and more "refined" human beings than friends and acquaintances of my own age. Saturday, one very important to me crossed the great divide. My friend Dino left this world for a better place after a fairly short and dramatic battle with dementia. It was shocking for me. I did not know the disease could progress so quickly - but it did.
I am not writing to ask for sympathy. Dino had a long and beautiful life, and I feel both blessed and grateful to have known him and to have benefited from his friendship for many good years. But I do implore all of you who may still have your influential friends and mentors to not lose sight of them for the blessing that they are, and, if you are able, someday to carry it forward yourself to others who may benefit from your example.
Dino, until we meet again at the big range in the sky, goodbye my friend. You made this world a better place.
I am not writing to ask for sympathy. Dino had a long and beautiful life, and I feel both blessed and grateful to have known him and to have benefited from his friendship for many good years. But I do implore all of you who may still have your influential friends and mentors to not lose sight of them for the blessing that they are, and, if you are able, someday to carry it forward yourself to others who may benefit from your example.
Dino, until we meet again at the big range in the sky, goodbye my friend. You made this world a better place.