Ronnie

Last night when I came home, Deb gave me some bad news about one of our friends who is very dear to us. Our friend Ronnie came to the clearing at the end of the path. He was only 34 years old. We where both very shocked and very saddened by this and our heart goes out to his Mom and Brother.

Though you probably don't know who Ronnie was, I feel compelled to tell you about him and what made him so very special to Deb and I. He almost always had a smile and an embrace for you. He knew how to hug people not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. He was off-beat and wickedly funny. Deb said that was never a time that they hung out that they had a bad time. I looked back through my mind and knew that to be true.

He seemed comfortable within his skin. When he had moments of difficulty, he didn't hold it in or pretend, but rather shared it and released it. It was like he knew that holding on to pain was like trying to hold on to an anvil in deep water. It would only take you down. That was not his style. He liked floating. As a part of his compassion he was a vegan. He didn't believe in harming anything or anyone. He lived as an open and honest person and though he didn't set himself up to be a positive example, he really was. A interesting way his integrity showed up was that when post of the people where around him and partying, he never did. He didn't need artificial crap inside of his body. He knew he was okay as he was.

It may sound odd to say, but he easily reminded people as a better version of the John Cusack character in the movie, "Say Anything." He was a really, really good and loving guy and we miss him. I hope these words give you a feel for the person that he was and is to us. As the ears fill our eyes, though I am Buddhist, these are the only words that make sense to me right now.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long." - The 23rd Psalm | NRSV

Love,

Jaye & Deb