Sad Day
My friend Artful Dodger is going dark.
I'm often wont to say to myself that this blogging world and the connections made on it can't really count as "real"--that they can't substitute for flesh-and-blood communication and friendships.
And yet.
I've never met Art in person. I don't even know his real name, or where he lives. I've never heard his speaking voice. But in the year and a half that I've known him, he has had a very special place in my life, and eventually my heart. The incredible, smart, kind, caring, funny, brave person that he is has had such a significant impact on me--far more than a great number of "real life" friends have had during this time. And probably more than even he knows, because these kinds of intangible things are impossible to transmit in words. But I've tried to share a little of it with him. And just knowing he was around and I could read him every day was always a comfort to me, no matter what was going on.
His leaving and how sad I feel about it certainly doesn't feel like an "imitation" of real life. It feels like real life, and real loss.
I will miss him very much. And those of you who never got the chance to read him will be missing out. But he's moving on to better things and for that I am very glad.
So before he does his walk into his new sunrise with his lady, I wanted to give him two presents. Since words can really not suffice, these are my best attempt at telling him how I feel as he goes.
Art:
Thank you. You were the one who whispered in my ear.
And all peaceful and happy sailing, wherever you may go, for as long as you keep going.
Love and farewell.
Comments (6)
You said everything i was feeling, but you said it better than i did. And you brought a tear to my eye.
Brava to you, Miss Syl.
A sniffly and somewhat tearful Minxy x
1. Posted by Evil Minx on May 16, 2007
I shoulda known you was a Tom Waits fan! Good bye is written by a tear in the sky...bye Art.
2. Posted by Ronan on May 16, 2007
Thank you for the sounds beautiful and for the words, but more importantly for the meaning behind them. Truly those thoughts are returned in full from me to you. I always felt that each person in the neighborhood was a real person, somewhere out there and that they each deserved the respect and honor that I would give those in my "real" world. That feeling was not always returned, but that is never an excuse to stop giving it. You are and have been an important person to me as well, believe that because it is true, and I will miss you.
I don't like saying goodbye, so it will be until we meet again, some sunny day.
3. Posted by ArtfulDodger on May 17, 2007
I'm gonna miss him too. I keep hoping he'll not actually do it. :(
4. Posted by aag on May 17, 2007
That was really beautiful, and as Minx says, captures what so many are thinking. Art's been such a comforting and supportive presence in our little 'neighbourhood' for us all, I think. I know he's been a rock for me and for many others.
And the man ends his comment with a vera lynn reference. What's not to love?
5. Posted by O on May 18, 2007
By the way (and I know this is Miss Syl's comments, but I'm gone now so who is gonna get mad at me?), I love that O caught the reference on my comment. Made me laugh today, thank you.
6. Posted by ArtfulDodger on May 21, 2007