Thanks, Larry. I'm 72 now, many family members and friends have died in
that time. And I know that I'm in the "dying time" of my own life. I'm
well aware of that, but I'm not about to go until I've finished my novel.
So I'll still be around awhile. Brother Tom almost died in 1968 from heart
problems. He didn't, and he almost died from the same ailment at least two
dozen times in the intervening 48 years. But he always sprang up like a
Jack in the Box -- always, but not this time. His many dry runs had inured
us all to the reality of his attacks. I was taken aback at the news of his
death. I certainly shouldn't have been.
What surprises me most is how close we were and I didn't even know it. I
knew he was there. We dissected many a hairy philo-politico-physic problem
late into the nights. I knew he knew me and understood me as no one else
did. Or even could have not having experienced the things we had gone
through together for fifty years or so. His mind was Euclidean, mine more
Whitmanean, we made a handsome pair throwing words into the air hoping
they'd land somewhere in the other's brain. Rest in peace, Tom. The world
already misses you.
I'll talk at all you folks later when the novel is done. Keep the faith.
Mike Geary, The only true jejune Jesuit alive today.
Thanks to JL and LH for their condolences.
