The Privilege of Power.
Someone I love very much just passed away this morning, after a short and sharp battle with lung cancer. Despite knowing that he was terminal, the shock of his passing leaves me numbed, empty, and sad to the core.
There are people that walk the earth for their allotted time that bring true gifts to others. Their very way of being is a source of light and strength, and they disperse a peace and kindness naturally, in a way that boosts and benefits other people. Simple gifts in the form of smiles, care, kindness, versatility, dependability and willingness to serve others.
He had total trust in me, of the kind I wish I had more in myself. He has left a void in the world that is truly vast. May it be filled by those of us who were fortunate to be in his proximity, and may we fill it with the grace, goodness, humility and service to our fellow man that came so naturally to him. I believe that there are angels that walk the earth – some for far too short a time – and fortune has smiled on those of us who are lucky enough to cross their path, or even walk alongside them for a while.
Three days ago he said to me: “The problem now Lou, is that I have no power.” He meant physically, as his energy seeped away, but he actually meant more than that.
It was so hard to hear him say those words, because when he did have power, he used it, and for goodness. For love, for his family, for his work, for his fellow human beings. We forget that we are all given power, but we do not necessarily use it with true intent, and for the maximum good that we can. When that power goes, we are left power-less, and I can’t think of a more disarming, desperate and dismal place to be. The power is ours. And devastatingly, it is no longer Calvin Shirindza’s.
Rest in peace, my friend.
I promise to use the power that I have been given, for goodness, and in the spirit that I learnt from you, by watching how you chose to use yours… whilst you had it.