EULOGY OF A FRIEND:2007
Today, as 2007’s friend pour into town, I was struck by how many distinct sets of friends he had. Family, neighbors, politicians, his Swampland posse, his boys and his girls, Professors, colleagues, Polk county friends, North Carolina friends, cyberspace friends who'd never met him "in the flesh"... Trying to walk down the street with him was an exercise in frustration, as 2007's fans flocked to him like the Pied Piper. He was so much, to so many. One of his greatest gifts to us is each other.
I remember the first time I saw 2007 12 months ago. You couldn't miss him, of course. It was a so so day filled with headaches, hangovers and hope. He could have skated in 20 minutes late, flip his skateboard up onto his desk, crack open a chocolate milk and begin to drink... 200 eyes on him. 2007 would turn around and give us a little wave and we would never have noticed he tardiness. The thing was, and it *clearly* pissed off dear Father Time, he routinely scored the highest marks in the Year of Years assignments. Immediately I said to myself, "I need to know this year..." So I cornered him and announced, "You and I are going to be friends..." 2007 looked me up and down and said, "Uh....No thanks..."
And so it began. 2007, in those days especially, had an approach to people that was at best "challenging", & at worst confrontational. Those who didn't "get" 2007 brushed him off as a clown, but to those who watched, and listened, it was clear there was something extremely profound going on. 2007 had an uncanny ability to see into people, to look through you, to reflect your own insecurities and hang-ups back at you, until you had no choice left but to drop them... and dance with him. 2007 called your bluff every time... Despite his best efforts to the contrary, eventually we did become friends. I simply refused to let him go, or to let him push me away... I knew in my core that if being 2007's friend required change, well then I'd change. It was worth it... 2007 taught me more lesson than even my first year did and lets face it eating solid food, walking and using the potty are hard lesson to forgo but dear 2007 has been the best year of lessons so far!
2007 was a hack in the true “YEAR” tradition. As the months passed, 2007 didn't often brag about his missed accomplishments and let downs around the world. In these days he was known by his handle, the "Redheaded Freak". Luckily (for him and for us), he later turned his attention to more "legitimate" and “Fanciful” endeavors. 2007 was an utterly brilliant puppet master. For our thorny lives, the world was broken into pieces and yet we were all held together by 2007. Under 2007’s lead, we settled into an efficient working mode. Around 2007, it seemed there were three ways to solve any problem. The right way, the wrong way, and 2007's way, which made the "right" way look foolish by comparison. 2007 found a home he loved here on earth, where he found at least a few people that could *almost* keep up with him.
Being around 2007 was a feast for both the senses and the heart.
There are the delicious images, we all have archived in our minds... 2007 was so beautiful to look at, so exquisite... His charm, his wit, he was... the incarnation of intensity and anticipation... To watch him thinking, lost in space, tuning everything out while his mind unraveled the complexities of some algorithm or machine... And then there were the sounds... The tick-tick-tick of the clock on the wall that announced his impending doom... And wherever 2007 was, music was not far behind... Fergie, Matchbox 20, Fiest, Garth Brooks legends re-born and hatched. Despite appearances & his pale face, 2007 was no "white boy." Watching 2007 dance was a lesson in freedom, and unadulterated joy. His Mojo was workin.. And then there were the smells... I LOVED these, Miss Dior, Cancan, Supermodel…I could go on. Those who knew 2007 primarily in Cyberspace were denied this unique aspect of life with 2007.
With 2007, what you saw -- was what you got. He lived without pretense and gave of his pure heart completely. He had more "best friends" than I can count, because he made each one of us feel like his best friend. As far as I could tell, 07 never really treated anyone differently from anyone else. Ol’ 07 ignored both celebrity and authority. When Senator Hillary Clinton passed through for a reprieve on the eve of a tough election, 07 pulled her aside and told her to "kick some ass."
2007 was utterly unique. A genius. Compassionate. Generous. Kind. 2007 was not stingy with his love. He told us, and he showed us. He gave and gave and gave. Each of us knows how blessed we were to share a few moments on this earth with him.
Although what we've lost is tremendous, what he gave us is immeasurable. So on his last day with us I will look back and remember all the up and down, wrongs and rights and take only the best piece of each with me. I closing 2007 will go down in history as one among many but not one to be forgotten.
To those who knew 2007, no explanation is necessary... To those who didn't, no explanation is possible...
I remember the first time I saw 2007 12 months ago. You couldn't miss him, of course. It was a so so day filled with headaches, hangovers and hope. He could have skated in 20 minutes late, flip his skateboard up onto his desk, crack open a chocolate milk and begin to drink... 200 eyes on him. 2007 would turn around and give us a little wave and we would never have noticed he tardiness. The thing was, and it *clearly* pissed off dear Father Time, he routinely scored the highest marks in the Year of Years assignments. Immediately I said to myself, "I need to know this year..." So I cornered him and announced, "You and I are going to be friends..." 2007 looked me up and down and said, "Uh....No thanks..."
And so it began. 2007, in those days especially, had an approach to people that was at best "challenging", & at worst confrontational. Those who didn't "get" 2007 brushed him off as a clown, but to those who watched, and listened, it was clear there was something extremely profound going on. 2007 had an uncanny ability to see into people, to look through you, to reflect your own insecurities and hang-ups back at you, until you had no choice left but to drop them... and dance with him. 2007 called your bluff every time... Despite his best efforts to the contrary, eventually we did become friends. I simply refused to let him go, or to let him push me away... I knew in my core that if being 2007's friend required change, well then I'd change. It was worth it... 2007 taught me more lesson than even my first year did and lets face it eating solid food, walking and using the potty are hard lesson to forgo but dear 2007 has been the best year of lessons so far!
2007 was a hack in the true “YEAR” tradition. As the months passed, 2007 didn't often brag about his missed accomplishments and let downs around the world. In these days he was known by his handle, the "Redheaded Freak". Luckily (for him and for us), he later turned his attention to more "legitimate" and “Fanciful” endeavors. 2007 was an utterly brilliant puppet master. For our thorny lives, the world was broken into pieces and yet we were all held together by 2007. Under 2007’s lead, we settled into an efficient working mode. Around 2007, it seemed there were three ways to solve any problem. The right way, the wrong way, and 2007's way, which made the "right" way look foolish by comparison. 2007 found a home he loved here on earth, where he found at least a few people that could *almost* keep up with him.
Being around 2007 was a feast for both the senses and the heart.
There are the delicious images, we all have archived in our minds... 2007 was so beautiful to look at, so exquisite... His charm, his wit, he was... the incarnation of intensity and anticipation... To watch him thinking, lost in space, tuning everything out while his mind unraveled the complexities of some algorithm or machine... And then there were the sounds... The tick-tick-tick of the clock on the wall that announced his impending doom... And wherever 2007 was, music was not far behind... Fergie, Matchbox 20, Fiest, Garth Brooks legends re-born and hatched. Despite appearances & his pale face, 2007 was no "white boy." Watching 2007 dance was a lesson in freedom, and unadulterated joy. His Mojo was workin.. And then there were the smells... I LOVED these, Miss Dior, Cancan, Supermodel…I could go on. Those who knew 2007 primarily in Cyberspace were denied this unique aspect of life with 2007.
With 2007, what you saw -- was what you got. He lived without pretense and gave of his pure heart completely. He had more "best friends" than I can count, because he made each one of us feel like his best friend. As far as I could tell, 07 never really treated anyone differently from anyone else. Ol’ 07 ignored both celebrity and authority. When Senator Hillary Clinton passed through for a reprieve on the eve of a tough election, 07 pulled her aside and told her to "kick some ass."
2007 was utterly unique. A genius. Compassionate. Generous. Kind. 2007 was not stingy with his love. He told us, and he showed us. He gave and gave and gave. Each of us knows how blessed we were to share a few moments on this earth with him.
Although what we've lost is tremendous, what he gave us is immeasurable. So on his last day with us I will look back and remember all the up and down, wrongs and rights and take only the best piece of each with me. I closing 2007 will go down in history as one among many but not one to be forgotten.
To those who knew 2007, no explanation is necessary... To those who didn't, no explanation is possible...