Two years without Gulfman
Two years ago at this time, we knew Gulfman was dead. We’d known for a couple of days, but it wasn’t really official until May 20, 2006. In the time since he died, I’ve tried to find a way to write a tribute to my friend. I’ve not been able to do it. I thought I could today, but I still can’t.
Among Gulfman’s friends here in Greenville, it’s quite common for him to come up in conversation, as if he’d never died, but only moved away like so many people that were in the same line of work. My friend T put together a tribute video shortly after Gulfman died (it’s HERE under the personal tab). I watched it once all the way through. I’ve tried to watch it several more times, but can’t for some reason. I always get to a certain point and have to turn it off.
I don’t have a great many regrets in my life, but missing the last year of Gulfman’s life because life got too busy is one of them. It’s now been two years since our buddy died and we can’t stop missing him. I have to believe we never will.
My heart goes out to you. Around the same time I lost my first blog friend I’d met in real life and it’s odd to think of him as being dead. I keep thinking he’ll pop up again on his blog or I’ll get a call from him.
Keep remembering your friend and all the things that made him so special. When you do that, he really is still with you, if only in spirit.
You’re right. I just watched it again for the first time since last year. I, too, had to switch it off at that point.
Sometimes tributes aren’t needed, Otis. The sound of your voice here says it all…that you miss your friend who you held dearly.