>It's truly the end of an era. > > Sal And the beginning of a new era. Perhaps a portion, a stream of which is that it is the era of our adulthood. The magical thinking, the vast dreams. All the superfulous burnt away. The essence left.
Recollecting over the years, 40 years and a few months since I fell for him and his world at 17. An enduring and endearing memory is his so often flowing refrain in the long lines of flower givers and well wishers. "Enjoying? hmm" -- the smile with a faint impish grin -- the pitch rising with the "hmm" -- turning the question into a confirmation, an observation, an instruction, a deep silent teaching, a celebration -- almost as if he would take the flower with one hand, and silently raise a silent, deeper counterpart of the flower straight through up the heart, delicate but boldly -- like starting pushpanjalim. That is all he asked. For us to enjoy. Asking with one-on-one concern and caring. And on the other hand, gently, non-obtrusively commanding us, a sweet imperative, offering to us -- to enjoy. On this day, its natural to feel some level of gratitude and debt -- to have enjoyed his presence for awhile. It was quite some trip. Regardless of whatever. For me, I feel that he will be quite happy and satisfied if I can simply smile and nod "yes -- (am) enjoying". A life worth living, a life well lived, if anyone can simply say I "enjoyed". That, in my view, is all he really ever asked.
