Wednesday, November 9, 2016
My prayers are lifted up for Susan and Abby, and for the rest of Jeff's family! I miss my friend Jeff already. After working together so closely in the UK and last year in Australia, I grew to respect and like Jeff and I absolutely depended upon his ability to bring levity to sometimes intensely-stressful work projects. What a joy it was to join Jeff and Susan for dinner last year in their home, along with other Northrop Grumman work friends. Jeff shared a couple of meaningful perspectives on love and losses after a close family member of mine passed away a couple of years ago. Those words are proving to help me even now as I think of Jeff and pray for his family. The following is an excerpt of an 2014 instant message exchange between me and Jeff: "Atkinson, Jeff 9:32 AM From the movie Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium: Mr. Edward Magorium: [to Molly, about dying] When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written "He dies." That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is "He dies." It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with "He dies." And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words "He dies." but because of the life we saw prior to the words. [pause, walks over to Molly] Mr. Edward Magorium: I've lived all five of my acts, Mahoney, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I'm only asking that you turn the page, continue reading... and let the next story begin. And if anyone asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest "He died." Molly Mahoney: [starting to sob] I love you. Mr. Edward Magorium: I love you, too. [picks Molly up, sighs heavily] Mr. Edward Magorium: Your life is an occasion. Rise to it." Soverns, Kelly 9:36 AM WOW. This is resonating really strongly. I need to keep this. "Atkinson, Jeff 9:39 AM It is so simple yet so touching to me anyway. The other thing I will talk about is the quote from my grandfather at one of his best friends funerals when I was young. The funeral ended and everyone was headed to the reception. I ask grandad if we were going and he flat out said no. He said Henry would want us to go fishing. : ) Then he looked at me and said "Life is for the livin boy. I reckon we best get at it." Thank you for being a friend and comedic relief, Jeff!
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