May your sojourn to the other side be fruitful and adventurous, and let it be known that your friends who loved you will never forget how much you added to our lives. You were like the brother that I never had, Dennis, and though we had our disagreements over the ten years you were an honored part of my life, never did I consider myself anything less than very fortunate to have you always at my side. Your time came much too soon, and the lives of many are much the poorer for it. You faced the end with more bravery and dignity than anyone could ever hope to, and my only regret concerning your friendship was that I couldn't spend much more time with you during your last months on this plane. Cancer may have robbed you of your life, but it could never rob you of your courage, sense of humor, or personal fortitude in the face of the greatest hardship of them all. When my time finally comes, I can only hope that I will meet it with half the tenacity that you did, and you earned the utmost respect of everyone who spent your final days with you. I miss you terribly, my friend, and my life will never be the same without you, but I am also comforted in knowing that you are now free of pain and being amply rewarded for your valiant battle against the worst killer of them all. Wherever your destiny now takes you, we all know that you will face it with the same degree of fortitude in which you lived, and offer proof once more that "you cannot bend steel," the last words you spoke to me while on this plane. You can rest assured that your courage has inspired me to live my life better than I have before, and I greatly look forward to that game of pool that I promised you during our last moments together. You will never be forgotten by anyone who loved and respected you, and we were legion, my friend.
In Memoriam
Dennis MacMillan--Summer 2002
This was my first summer since your passing, and my life was completely different without your friendship on the material plane. You have been missed more than you can possibly imagine. I am sure that you are greatly enjoying yourself on the other plane where your consciousness now resides, though I still regret no longer being able to talk to you about all of my day-to-day problems, and receive your advice in return. I greatly missed your company at the car shows that I saw at various places this year, as you would have been able to answer every question that I had about any of those cars. Whenever I believe I have come to terms with your passing, replacing the sheer grief with good and happy memories, I shed another tear (actually, several) when an event comes up that reminds me of the hobbies you enjoyed so much when we hung out during your sojourn on the material plane. I was never a car hobbyist, as you were, but I have now developed a strong appreciation for the hobby that you introduced me to, as every vehicle on display that I see reminds me of the times we spent together visiting such events. Though we all understand that death is a natural part of life, and that the soul achieves peace upon the shedding of the corporeal body, it often takes us a while to deal with the fact that we cannot communicate with you directly any longer. Nevertheless, I am well aware that your spirit is always there at moments like the above, though sometimes the lonliness of no longer being able to enjoy your company in the material world reminds me that the grief yet remains. Nevertheless, I cannot question the actions of the Divine that decided your time was to come so early in your life, though I can and will always state my regrets over what we mere mortals stubbornly perceive as a great injustice. Your memory, however, shall always live on. I look forward to playing that game of pool that I promised you in the future. Your friend on any plane, Chris.
Robert Garrison (1973-1998)
Thank you for being there for me all those times, Rob, and I'll never forget all of that good advice you always offered me, as well as the numerous occasions that you went out of your way to hook me up at a club with a lady. Your life ending so early and suddenly was a terrible tragedy to all of your family and friends, and I'll always regret my decision to stay home that night. I always admired your great talent as an artist, and had you lived, you would have gone very far, and been an excellent father, as well. Your son lost more than any of us did, and we all lost plenty; however, the hand of fate moves in mysterious ways and has destroyed many a plan we mortals have made in favor of its own, but I have no doubt that your great goodness as a person and your wondrous creativity are now being put to the best of pursuits as you take the spirit plane by storm. Here's to you, Rob, and I will see to it that Ninja Jack always fights for righteousness on the written page, which you yourself embodied in life. We miss you, my friend.
