A further comment from a friend of Andris -

" A really lovely eulogy for someone who clearly had a huge impact on you.

There is no greater investment a person can make than in the life of another, and for my part I’m glad God used Ken to do that with you.

Jesus set the model for that and I hope you continue to replicate his (and Ken’s example)."

A further comment from a friend:

I was very taken by your article about your friend and it is good to know there still are a few saints left in the world for us to be guided by.
Your words were very touching and sincere.
Sadly the art of letter writing and communicating
with friends has been lost.
Your friendship lasted so long and his influence
on you has been obviously slowly transforming for you.

At times I think of the personal guides that have come into my life at various times and brought me that one step closer to God. .

Thanks for sharing your letter to your friend.
I'm glad he is still present for you.

When a person dies, his senses die with him.
He sees and hears and feels no more.
But those around him can, and do, experience grief.
A sense of loss.
An emptiness.
And the emotion can be intense.

Talking about the deceased can bring relief from this feeling.
Psychologists could no doubt explain why this is so.
Each person will deal with grief in his own way.
But each needs to remember: the deceased knows nothing about it.
The deceased is totally unaware of anything which happens.
Saying nice things about him might make his close family feel better.
But the deceased will hear nothing.

I am always sorry when a good man dies.
The ranks of the 'worthy' are thus regrettably thinned.
But even the less worthy should be treated respectfully.
None of them had a say in how his brain was wired.
And there is a limit to how successfully strong instincts can be re-directed by reason and logic.
So, many will remain outside the borders of a quiet and stable existence.
They will never be fully absorbed in to the good life around them.

Could we not find a better way to deal with grief?
Instead of waiting till someone dies, could we not prepare ourselves beforehand?
Have healthy discussions about death quite early in life.
Come to understand it, and get it in to perspective?
Then it won't come as such a shock?
It will be easier to deal with?
But sudden and unexpected death would always have greater impact I think.

And just because it is true, I must also add...
When I see persons grieving, I am moved.
I share their sadness.
This appears to be instinctive on my part.
So humans are certainly weird?
But we manage to support each other adequately.
Which is what matters.