D....K.....

[poliphilo]

My best friend from theological college died earlier this year. I just found out. We weren't close; we weren't brothers; what brought us together was being married men in a community of bachelors. He found me flippant; I found him rather too earnest. He grinned a lot and had  to have jokes explained to him. We used to play badminton- the only time I've ever played any game competitively. He always beat me. 

He had a little scooter. I used to ride on the back to the badminton courts. One time, coming down King's Parade, we went into a skid and nearly crashed. 

After ordination he and his wife moved to Bristol. My wife and I visited them there. We went round the SS Great Britain- only recently returned from the Falklands- in a foursome and he reproved me for drinking scrumpy. Then he went to New Zealand and we lost touch.  He spent most of his adult life labouring at a theological magnum opus that is going to be published posthumously. 

He was 63. 

Comments

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

As you know, my theological best friend and companion died at 61 - it's disturbing, isn't it - and particularly in this case. I hope he knew that his opus was to be published? Message me with title and author?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Life seems to go on and on when you're living it, but when you look back- from the perspective of the death of a contemporary- it seems to have passed in a flash.

I'll message you the title.

[chochiyo-sama.livejournal.com]

He sounds like a good friend...One likes to have friends that are so opposite of one in some ways. It makes a nice balance.

He was far too young to die.

My condolences on the loss of your friend.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

We hadn't been in touch for decades, but as Yeats says, "friendship never ends".

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

So sad to hear it.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It happens....

[sovay]

Still: his memory for a blessing.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes. Thank you.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Ouch! That's not old. And what a crying shame that he hasn't lived to see the publication of his work. Maybe its completion totally consumed him...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

He was talking about this book of his thirty five years ago. I think even then he thought of it as his life's work.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Oh, lord. And I thought my PhuD was in danger of consuming me???