This morning my heart is heavy. I just received news that someone I know passed away. Now, they weren’t a close friend but someone who I have spent a lot of time with over the years. This man volunteered his time as the sound engineer for the local theater group that I work with. What makes it all the more shocking is that I was just with him on Saturday and Sunday.
This past Saturday we had our set load in for our upcoming performance of EVITA and then on Sunday we had what is known in the theater world as a “sitzprobe” – this is where the actors sing with the orchestra for the first time.
He was there, his usual jovial self. Helping people with their microphones, trying out sound effects, etc. I spoke with him and he helped me with my wireless mic. He even came out to celebrate with us afterward. From what I have heard, he simply did not wake up on Tuesday morning.
His death will no doubt cast a long shadow over this show. It just will not be the same without him. I’m thinking about his family right now and how they probably have more questions than answers. I’m thinking about the grieving that will take place for a father, husband, son, brother, friend.
But most of all I am thinking about how life is a vapor.
You never know how much time you have on this earth and you never know when someone you love will be gone. As I said to a friend of mine who broke the news to me, all the more important to celebrate life while you can and do the best to make a difference in the lives of the people around you.
Tell someone you love how much they mean to you while it is still today. Forgive those who have wronged you and ask for forgiveness from those you have wronged. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath. Live your life in a way that honors God, put others first, and most importantly, be who you were created to be with the time you’ve been given.
RIP, Ray.
Godspeed,
Geoff
