Goodbye Vassilis

Goodbye to my friend Vassilis. He was 54. 

“Say a few words”…what words can I say that even begin to describe the depth of sadness that your death brings?

Shall I mention the happy times? The times you and I laughed and got up to all manners of silliness? Shall I mention the times we consoled each other over the minor and major misfortunes in our lives? Shall I mention your kindness and open heart?

No, really…what does one say when one’s best friend has gone? When Lucky died you told me that it was “…a good old age”. Yours is not! It is too early, too soon.

I consol myself by saying that you escaped your suffering, that your quality of life was so poor and so full of pain. Yet, I can’t fool myself with that because,  I witnessed both your tremendous will to live and the love that you deservedly attracted from your family, from your friends and most of all from your beloved partner Paul.

I met you a lifetime ago when we were both two naïve Greek post-grads.  Over the years our friendship grew until I couldn’t remember when you weren’t part of my life. We saw each other through a number of frogs we hoped would turn into princes, , we ate ourselves silly through mountains of cakes in single seatings and then supported each other through innumerable crazy starvation regimes. We rejoiced together at finding the loves of our lives in Frank and Paul. We laughed with each other over adopting ridiculous fashions and fads. We advised each other on the slippery ladders of our careers. We shared in each other’s triumphs and successes. I used to marvel at your confidence, energy, tenacity and joy of life.

Even when you became very ill and I said to myself “enough suffering, enough pain”…even then I thought you’d win the battle and stick around for a bit longer. My prayers for you were added to those of Paul, your family and friends. You fooled those doctors that told you two years ago that your time was up. You fooled them with your immense will and stubbornness and love for life and for Paul. I have no doubt in my mind that Paul’s love and care sustained you and gave you hope and the will to keep going, to keep ignoring the pain and to find things to be happy about even when you were so poorly.

I learned a lot from you my friend. A lot. But the biggest lesson has been to enjoy life. In all the time I have known you, you were always appreciative of the joys of life. You took the grapes and made wine. You took the tears and turned them into grace.

You worked hard for your success. And successful you were. Professionally and personally. A key holder of the City of London nonetheless. Impressive! Yet, you never forgot the people. You quietly helped many. Friends, friends of friends and random strangers that asked for your help, all got support. You changed people’s lives for the better in big and in small ways. If karma is real, then you my lovely friend have earned quite a few rungs up in the wheel of life.

I don’t know where we go after we die, but I believe your soul, the spark that made you you, survives and shines on. Yours is a bright light.

 I wish you a peaceful journey.

I miss you.