A TRIBUTE TO NICK
JANUARY 30,2007

You sat with ease, finding your familiar space and you settled in. You spoke about the depth of life, its challenges, and the philosophies human beings should hold. You offered your insights as naturally as the sun rises and sets each day. You knew the essence of what life was about because you walked into the open doors of your heart. Nature, art, music, poetry, food, the senses and textures around you. They each penetrated your being, reminding you and those around you about the qualitative aspects of living.

When the clouds darkened the skies, you experienced fear and anger, but oh so briefly, returning to the vitality of your inner core. You longed and yearned to be whole, and even challenging obstacles did not prevent you from doing so. As you became sicker and your body weaker, you continued to participate in your care and to follow the lead of dear family, friends, and your team at the hospital. You made sure we understood your essence so that your human experience would never get lost. Before you had to yield to a respirator to help you breathe, you embraced your family, said that you loved each and every one of them, kissed each other and shared tears. Maybe then you knew that a closing was drawing near.

But before that moment, you asked about the meaningfulness of life once again. Your voice was weak and your words few so you had to write things down in shaky lettering. You pondered about how people are remembered. What if they’re not famous? What if they are not popular in the media? What if the person wasn’t notable in the public eye for some reason. It was then that we talked about love. We talked about the essence of what it is to love and be loved. To see and be seen. To cut through the superficial layers of human existence and to get to the heart of the matter. To experience the boundless unity of love and how it expands well beyond time and space.

These are your teachings my dear friend Nick. It is the essence of what pure love means that will hold your vitality within all those you touch eternally. Happy 21st Birthday. I will have a single malt scotch for you. I will pick a scotch that has depth to it, one that is not commonplace, something smooth. I won’t drink too much, but just enough to toast you… just like you would do.

Though I am not physically with you, know that the essence of love that you knew and taught overrides all. For this is what you taught, over and over and over again. The imprint of who you are, the essence of your being, will live in my heart forever. I promise.

Susan Cohen
Child Life Specialist