This is my first post, of my very first blog, and a bit scary.
I feel like I’m standing on a stage blinded by the spotlight, my voice echoing into a huge black auditorium of empty seats. Strange feeling. But I’ve always liked trying new things. So here goes…
I was wondering where to start, when the obvious occurred to me. Greg. One of my very best friends died two years ago today, at age 44. I slept through the midnight phone call from his ex-wife and best friend of mine, and woke up to her message on Remembrance Day.
Greg, Pam and me, at Stepho's in Vancouver
Greg had the most amazing smile.
His big grey eyes always shined with mischief and childlike innocence and you just couldn’t possibly be in a bad mood around him. During the 11 months he was sick, he never once complained to me.
I remember asking him how he was doing and he said, "Well… I can hardly eat, I can hardly walk, and I can hardly breathe. But other than that, I’m awesome!!"
That was Greg.
In his 44 years, he lived three times the life most people do. If he wanted to do something, he went for it. He never worried too much about what other people thought.
Carpe diem.
Early 90's party: Greg decided they should throw me up in the air
He told everyone not to worry about him. He had lived a good life. A great life, in fact. He said he was going to heaven to play poker with his dad. We should be having a party here too.
Our little wake
So that’s what we did. Late in November, his long time best friends all got together for the first time in years for his funeral. We travelled up to his home town of Powell River and had a party in his house. It was just like the parties we’d had twenty years ago. We drank and laughed and reminisced. It was the most fun we’d had – well probably since the last group party.
November 2009: our little wake, in the spirit of Greg
It might sound a bit odd, like we weren’t supposed to be having such a good time. But it’s exactly what he would have wanted. In fact, I was sure I could feel him watching and laughing too.
Showing the group an album I made, celebrating Greg's life
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Greg was a dear soul…. happy, full of life and ambition. Greg always made me laugh and remember not to take life too seriously. He was a perfect example of someone who lived life to it’s fullest and lived it his own way.
I will always remember Greg’s smile too.
Thanks Heather. You are so right about the example he set.
I miss him so much. There’s so many times I think of calling him and remember he’s not here anymore. It doesn’t seem possible that someone with so much life in him could be gone now. He’ll always be in my heart.
I know! Can’t you just see that big huge smile as if he was right in front of you? He was one of those larger than life people.
I miss Greg so much. I would give anything to have him back just for one more day. I think about him all the time and I do smile when I think about when we were kids and all the quirky things we did. Greg was the strongest “sick” person I have ever known, he was brave and he didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him. I learned so much from him through his illness and I am so very proud of him. I just wish I could give him one more hug.
You’re so right Kim. I was never so impressed with his spirit as in his last few months. Whenever I got mad at my computer and wanted to punch it in the face, I thought of Greg. If he could still be smiling, what excuse did I have to bitch? I hope he hears us thinking of him. : )