For Terry

[knary]

I just posted this on my blog. Here, I don't know where else to put it.
-----
Yesterday, I may have learned that a friend of mine is dead. A sweet sardonic man with few in his life, having lost most of his friends to HIV in the 80's and 90's. I knew him through the motorcycles. We rode together fairly regularly when I lived in Nevada. He'd come up to visit my wife and I, and we'd go ride through the mountains around Lake Tahoe. When I had a chance, I'd visit him in San Francisco and we'd take the bikes up the coast highway or down into the Santa Cruz mountains. I used to think that he got more out of the relationship. But I was happy to offer what I could to someone that didn't have much left. His health was an ever pressing issue, a crushing presence. Little bit by little bit, it turned worse and worse. But through more than anything anyone should have to stand, he kept going - though his world got smaller and smaller. Sometimes the mighty effort of the day was getting from the bed to the bathroom. Sometimes the victory was regaining enough sight to be able to type, to send an e-mail or to update his web-site.

I realized yesterday that I hadn't heard from him in a while, that he hadn't replied to the e-mails I'd sent over the past year. New e-mails bounce. The phone numbers, numbers he and his partner had had for many years, no longer work. I'm sending a letter to the old address. Maybe he's still with us. I hope so.


<b>Rotting Apple</b>, 6" x 5"
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/125236208-M.jpg

p.s. Some of you met Terry. He attended a few of the "Sierra Prez" things I organized years ago.

[wezul]

I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend, Scott.

Peace.

Wez

[PAULBACH]

Scott I'm certain he would say, Ride on! Life is short. Enjoy his memory and the rides. Go take a long ride in his memory. He will be there with you.

:buds

[redrider]

I would suggest that the times you rode together were some of the happier moments in his life.Make your next ride in his memory.

[tessler]

Scott, real sorry for the loss of your friend, pal.

I lost a bunch of friends to the same fate, back in the day, back when the disease was just barely understood and they were regarded more as pariahs than victims.

Again, please accept my condolences. Great painting by the way.

[BubbaZanetti]

take care scott, times like this to reflect on the good memories

[kbasa]

As I get older, more and more of the people I know depart. It's always sad, though I think it's saddest for those of us left behind. But over the last couple years, I've gained a new perspective. The departed always teach us something.

When I think of my now gone friends and family, I can always think of one thing they taught me. The woman that worked for me that always asked "what is important?", my mom, who taught me about being a man (believe it or not), my friend Bill that taught me life is short, have fun once in a while.

The lessons your friend has left you with will be his legacy. Don't despair, the departed are always with you.

[knary]

Thanks, guys. Good words. Good ideas and sentiments.

Dave,
When I met you for the first time in the flesh at that place across from Alice's, Terry was the guy with me riding the black R11S with the red/orange seat.

[kbasa]

Thanks, guys. Good words. Good ideas and sentiments.

Dave,
When I met you for the first time in the flesh at that place across from Alice's, Terry was the guy with me riding the black R11S with the red/orange seat.

Sorry to hear that, man. He seemed like a pretty nice guy. I think Tina and I started out talking with him before we wound up with you for lunch.

[Oldhway]

Loss is hard but the legacy those we loose leave to us is usually the most valued of our possesions. My condolences for your loss.

[wuli959]

wouldn't be better to confirm that your friend is dead before you mourn?

I hope he is still among the living and you can reconnect.

:brow

[knary]

wouldn't be better to confirm that your friend is dead before you mourn?

I hope he is still among the living and you can reconnect.

:brow

The circumstances are not those of the average person wandering off the radar. But, yes, while I am afraid that he's gone, I'm hoping that he isn't.

[SNC1923]

What a sad and heartfelt post. I hope your suspicion is incorrect. If not, your thoughts form a touching eulogy. Good luck to you both.

[GregFeeler]

Like many others here, I've lost some good friends over the years, and will continue to until it's their turn to miss me. The major lesson I've learned from all of this is to learn what you can from everyone else. Each person we meet is a teacher of some lesson. Sometimes it's how you can live your live better, and sometimes it's what not to do. In the end you try to become the best person you can be. But, never forget to take a few mintues, even when you are too busy to spit, and keep in touch. Let other know you are thinking of them. That fine filament of contact can be a powerful web to tie us all together.