On Monday night, a bright light departed. John was my buddy. He was one of my closest friends, and probably among the best friends of many people who knew him. He was in good health, always upbeat and filled with optimism. His death at 50 from aortal aneurism was sudden, unexpected, shocking.
On hearing the news, one of our mutual friends, JW, said, “I think about that guy every day. How can it be that he is gone?”
When someone dies, they are never replaced. The space John filled in our lives will never be filled by someone else.
Still, we go on.
When I heard the news about John I went into that quiet place we all have inside ourselves. The message I received said that it was up to me – to all of us that knew him – to be the love in the world that he can no longer be.
All about love
John loved love. He devoted a great portion of his research, reading, experimentation and infectious enthusiasm to the development of techniques for opening the heart and manifesting love in all situations and circumstances. He sought by example to give love, grow love, share love, build and teach love.
Service
At work, in his neighborhood, and in his friendships and dating relationships, John lived to serve.
Probably none of us that knew him knows the extent of all the ways he gave freely and without expectations of reciprocity.
His teachers
John was generous with his learning. He was graced with many teachers. Some of his favorites included Peter Ragnar (http://www.roaringlionpublishing.com/), Richard Bach, (author of Illusions, one of John’s favorite books), John Randolph Price (author of Superbeings), Kyriacos C. Markides (the Magus of Strovolos), and Og Mandino (author of the Greatest Salesman in the World).
His book
For the last 7 or 8 years, John spoke often of his book, Running and Being Love, Living the Runner’s High.
Even though he seemed more recently to be moving away from this title, to me it captures the true experience he lived and desired for others.
John, God bless you my friend. The world was truly a better place for having you in it.
Thank you for all the times we shared.
May our paths cross again on other shores than these, in that place where we shall remember our tears no more.
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Well said. John was one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
You said it right. Still unbelievable that he is not with us. What a fun loving person he was and was one of the greatest person I ever knew with his simplicity and humility.
John was a “forever” friend. He was always there and will always be remembered.
I have known John for over thirty years, throughout HS he played basketball and I was a cheerleader admiring him both as a person and a great talent. Three summers ago John and I spent time together, and he often talked about his special friend in New York name Alec. It is wonderful to read a great tribute to this special person that continue to be present in so many hearts.