Monday, April 20, 2009

Thank you, Niv


There you were; quietly supporting Razz. You were part of a uniquely sacred time and you deserve our gratitude and praise.

I did an early post about how my dad helped a gay friend die from AIDS in the 90s. His story and that funeral gave me an appreciation of death, as odd as that sounds. I think in time you may have the same insights.

Perhaps the good die young, as cliched as that sounds.

About death, Razz had insights that both impress and amaze me.

On Jan. 12 he wrote: "we came to the conclusion that if one really look closely at why he/she fears death, it is really because of what lies after death. maybe a lot of you have already realised this, but i had never really thought much about this until this afternoon. some would say there is nothing after death, whilst others may be believe in the heavenly afterlife, or doomed one in hell. for now, i'm taking the middle ground and say that there is an afterlife, but an afterlife where we have control of its quality, just like this life. what form will we take? i don't know, and in the grander scheme of things, i don't think that would matter much. (is this just a version of the idea of reincarnation? must think about that some more.) the question i am pondering at the moment is why i chose this particular after-death scenario? i'll let you know when i have the answer, but for now, all i can say is that it was not to find some comfort from the promise of an afterlife. the idea of the afterlife essentially controlling what people do in this life (i.e. going to heaven or hell) does not sit well with me. i've always thought that if you want to be a nice person, do it for the sake of being nice; not because you want to ensure your place in heaven. i will not rant about this."

The other thing I like about Razz was his pride and joy to be a young gay man. His delightful combo of the ribald and sublime show a refreshing honesty that I admire.

Maybe Lifetime channel could do the Razz movie as the other side of Prayers for Bobby.

I'm sure ste and jay will see this blog. I can't begin to comprehend your loss and sadness. I'm sure you will remember the lessons he taught you and share his joy and zest for life as you go down life's pathways.

I'm going to tell the Razz/Chris story to our GSA group at my school.

For me that's a perfect tribute to Razz/Chris' self proclaimed "perfect life".

steevo in cali
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2 comments:

Mr McCabbage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr McCabbage said...

FIDELE -- William Shakespeare
(In his time great still rhymed with eat, etc.)
Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and taken thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

Fear no more the frown o' the great,
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke;
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak:
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this, and come to dust.

Fear no more the lightning-flash,
Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finish'd joy and moan:
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee, and come to dust.

No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have;
And renownèd be thy grave!