Steve, my sympathy for your loss. It sounds as though your friend lived his short time fully.

I think on these occasions of my friend Ken, a larger than life, humorous and profane character with a fondness for loose women and Boodles gin, who left a year ago at the age of 45. And Peggy, my best friend's beautiful and intelligent wife, killed in a car accident back in 72. Shortly before her death, I had taken her for a motorcycle ride and she left her pea-jacket with the embroidered peace symbol in my saddlebag. I still have it, and it hangs in my closet as a remebrance of her, and of that day.

They stay with us, these people we have lost. I think on them with a heartache, its true, but also with a smile.