loss

Derek, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

It's been a rough few days. My good friend Derek passed away the other day, just a couple of weeks before his 40th birthday. We still don't know the cause, but it was probably his heart.

Derek's brother is married to my good friend and old roommate, who is like a sister to me. So I really feel like I've lost a member of my family. Which he was, really. My Babylon family is as important to me as my blood family.

I rode out to Sirius Rising festival with Derek last summer, for which I am now doubly glad. I got to spend time with him, and he made the trip enjoyable with his lively conversation and sense of humor.

Derek was a great lover of music, and loved to share discoveries of new artists and songs. He was also a wonderful singer, with a rich, deep voice.

I am grateful I got to call him friend, and my heart breaks for his wife, mom, brother and sister, and his extended family.

I'm also really grateful for Facebook, where our chosen family gathered to touch base, grieve together, make plans. People complain about Facebook all the time, but for me it's been a lifeline. We're so far-flung these days, but now we're just a click away on our computers and phones.

Be sure to tell your loved ones that you love them. You never know when will be the last time you talk to them.