Birthday of the late Chris Gagnon
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He departed this earthly existence on April 5, 1995 from contracting AIDS in the Pikes Peak area of Colorado.
We were both 40. I was just turned and he was rapidly approaching.
His funeral was held April 11, 1995 at Congregational Community Church of Manitou Springs.
I once tried to ascertain where I was at that time ...
I recall my birthday that year which was held on the following 14th of April replete with the black roses and all the 'over the hill' mess I received during that particular celebration.
This would have placed me teaching in the state college system.
I was oblivious to his passing at that juncture because I had not been able to ascertain his whereabouts to any level of certainty.
I have marked his passing as well as I could given the fact that I lost contact with him only to reconnect via his obit courtesy of my good friend Mark Casey.
It is a rather somber day for me to note because the world lost a very talented person upon his death.
That his parents both passed a scant five years prior to his death is simply further personal tragedy as they were wonderful kind and gentle people as well.
So, happy birthday in Heaven Chris Gagnon.
I hope that all the secrets of the universe are known to you and that I may visit with you again sometime when it becomes appropriate.
I am labeled by some who know me as 'homophobic' and indeed I rather view homosexuality as a sin of the highest order.
However, I have acquired the knowledge over the years that judgement indeed is not mine and we are not the sum total of the worst things we do in life.
Be all of this as it may, 'homophobic' is quite the misnomer with 'phobic' being a reference to 'fear' which simply is not nor has it ever been there.
Despite our differences, Chris Gagnon was great company and it simply is not in me to hold anything against him.
I have missed him over the years.