Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Allan and I were colleagues at Marathon Realty but more than that we were friends. Friends learn about one another and from another and sometimes what we learn can be very surprising. For me, it was that Allan really liked reggae and Bob Marley and The Wailers. So from one of Marley's most popular tunes, One Love, come these lyrics: One love, one heart, Let's get together and feel alright, As it was in the beginning (One love), So shall it be in the end (One heart), Al right, "Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right." "Let's get together and feel all right." Maybe, like me, you will find some peace, consolation or inspiration in Marley's words. For Allan not only loved his family, including his extended family, he loved his friends. He had a huge heart. I will always treasure the memories of the time we had together. I last saw Allan about a year ago. He was heading to the cottage. My wife and I were returning home from our's and we had all stopped for gas at the station in Manilla. As we were parting, we said, as friends do, that we have to get together and catch up. But we never did. For that lapse, I will be eternally saddened. So to anyone reading this who has a similar friendship, make contact with your friend. Time passes too quickly. We are all the sum total of many parts not the least of which are the cumulative influences of those we meet, spend time with, learn from, teach, inspire and emulate. Allan was all this and so much more but above all, he was, and always will be, my friend and for that I am so very grateful. One love - but so wide. One heart - but so big.
