Sometimes people come into your life in a way that is so mild and so inconspicuous that you don't realize what an impact they have made until they are gone. Terry Lowe was one of those people. I first heard of Terry from my friend Christine back when the two of us were in university. She was telling me about her previous life, a life that involved a rogue of an ex-husband, a life lived on the edge to a dangerous degree. But there was a guy, a roommate, she called Ratt - he was the touchstone that helped her to keep her life centred; he prevented things from spinning wildly out of control as she packed up a newborn baby and left the debauchery of her life in the big city to make a new life for herself and her infant son.
Fast forward twenty years, and Christine and I had re-connected
through our mutual love of music. We decided to take that passion and throw it
into an endeavour where we would write reviews, and interview musicians, of the
shows we were seeing. But how to make this dream a reality? Once again,
Touchstone Terry rose up to meet the challenge. He had stayed in Christine’s
life the whole time; her personal cheerleader, pronouncing that she could do
anything she put her mind to. He loved the idea of Swanktrendz, so he created
an inventive program that would run our website, and did it for the steep price
of a dinner out at a restaurant of his choice. Soon we had contributors from
around the world adding to our cultural ezine.
That was one of the two times I met Terry. It's hard to know
someone if you've spent less than two hours total in their company. But if I
were to choose one adjective to describe him, that word would be 'comfortable'.
Terry was a homey, comfortable person to be around; there was no pretense about
him. He was a man who had three loves in his life: writing, art, literature,
computers, and bikes. He flew the flag of all proudly, and was able, after I
met him, to secure a job that combined biking and writing, acting as Editor for
a local bike enthusiast’s magazine, Momentum. I heard that this was a shining
moment in his life, but unfortunately, it was to be short-lived. Terry Lowe
succumbed to a bout of pneumonia unexpectedly over winter.
He was a healthy-living guy who exercised regularly, avoided
drugs, but enjoyed the odd beer. His death was a shock to all who knew him. The
saddest thing for those left behind was that he died alone. Terry, the man who
was always there for others in his own quiet, unobtrusive way, didn't have
anyone there for him in his time of need. And for that, I am truly sorry. He
deserved better. Terry, we miss you.
Thanks to Lezah who wrote most of the above. I had quit writing
as I needed closure for my best friend before I could continue. Terry was my
confidenté, my voice of reason and when I didn’t hear from him, I worried.
However, I knew he often went home for Christmas. By the end of February my
emails were being returned, his phone was cut off, and I knew intuitively I had
lost a friend who truly understood me. He had bought me swanktrendz prior to
his death and told me to get out there and write! I shall try, Terry, so long
as you guide my hand.
No comments:
Post a Comment