An old friend passed away this week. But, 'passed away' does not seem like an accurate way to describe a life or death of someone so unique. Kip was someone that if you met him for more than 5 minutes, you had a 'Kip story'. Another friend described him well this week. She called him a 'force of nature'. That he was, and frankly, still is.
I knew I wanted to write something about Kip, but I just wasn't sure how to pay 'tribute' to someone that you cannot sum up with mere words. I have been re-living experiences we had together....working together, quiting our job together, moving to Boston together, moving to Arizona....but,there are so many stories it is hard to pick one experience or story to share. Kip made me both laugh and cry. He was his own sitcom. He did not need a cast. And, honestly, we would have all gladly played second, third, etc... billing to his star.
So, I will remember Kip and the stories. I will share them with people, friends, and family for the rest of my days. And since I could not say it more eloquently in my own words, I will quote Meryl Streep in 'Out of Africa': “He brought us joy. And we loved him well. He was not ours. He was not mine. ..."
