I lost a very close friend of mine a little over week ago. Steve died when he lost control of his car on the way back from a friends birthday celebration. He was cremated on Thursday, I think that’s really when it actually hit me that he was gone – up until that point I’d managed to shut my feelings out so I could get on a do the things I needed to do … get on with work, help Steph with the funeral arrangements. It’s probably not a good idea to stick your head in the sand though, or pretend nothings wrong. I did make a few careless mistakes at work this week, I guess I was a little distracted – but fortunately I work with a group of guys and gals who are quite perceptive and know when something not quite right.

It was only Thursday it really hit me – at the crematorium. It’s a good job we have the Easter weekend, it’s given me a little time to reflect on things … get my head out of the sand and actually admitt to myself something is wrong.

As I write this im struggling to find the words to do him justice, but when I think of him I’m reminded of this passage from the Teachings of Tecumseh, i think he’d have appreciated this:

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about his religion; respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the Great Divide. Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself. Touch not the poisonous firewater that makes wise ones to fools and robs the Spirit of its Vision. When your time comes to die be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Live your life so that when you sing your death song, you will die like a hero who is going home with no shame to meet the Creator and your family.

rest in peace … old friend.