(sorry for the lack of a title. Blogger isn't letting me add one. Waah.)

My friend Bart died earlier this week. He had been sick, but hadn't told many people about it. I don't know if he was embarrassed by his illness or if he didn't want a fuss. He had problems with his liver (I still don't know what, specifically) and was told about a year ago to stop drinking, and from what I'm told, he did. But I guess it wasn't soon enough and the damage had already been done. I wouldn't have judged him, and wish he'd shared his thoughts and the fears he must have had with me.

Bart didn't have an easy life - he lived hard, and spent a few years living on the streets. He was always open about his past, and had made a good life for himself. His wife, Carolyn, is a wonderful, funny woman, and his children are charming, and he loved them all well. He doted on those kids, and I know it will be hard on them, and for Carolyn, now that he is gone.

Bart hadn't always made the smartest decisions in his life. Who does? I've done some gloriously stupid things in my lifetime, and I'm sure there are screw-ups to come. But he tried, and he was succeeding. I'm so sad that he is gone, and I will miss him.

RIP, Bart. October 12, 1961 - July 3, 2007