a eulogy

He lived as he never wanted to and went out as he never would have: with a bang. There isn’t much to say about Rei that hasn’t already been said. He lived perpetually in motion and paid heavily the price for it. Body scarred and mind shaken, still he offered helping hands to whomever was in need. He loved, period. It amazes me to this day the amount of boundless and unbridled love of which this man was capable. Yet, for this, too, he was punished, cursed with the constant loss of family and friends either to betrayal or death – not until the end did it truly break him. Unfortunately, life is unfair.

It is difficult – impossible, even – to emphasize the sorrow I feel for having lost such a man, such a blessing, such a true best friend. He was a treasure, a giant among mean, two-eyed among the blind. It is not just I who has lost him but us all. Unmentionable cruelties and heartache have stolen from us an inspiration. And angel. I love to say I knew him best, and so I have no doubts when I say I believe he still watches over us, ever the protector, ever the advocate of love, ever our Guardian. We will miss him. Or, if we won’t, I will for the all of us. May he forever be a symbol of loyalty, of dedication, of perseverance, of strength, and of complete compassion, so many things we so wholly lack today. Godspeed, Rei. Know we all so love you.