Met a man in the desert in 1995. He was young, brilliant, artistic, kind, loving, and lost.

Abandoned by his parents as a teen, due to personal challenges, he lived alone, on his own, for years. This is when I met him…In want of a better life, but with seemingly no way to find it.

We became friends, shared our love for reading, coffee and frequent verbal debate. One day he decided to join me…leaving his desert “home” for the great beyond of Los Angeles. Eager to leave his lonely life behind.

He was a big part of my life for seven years. He was loved by my children, sisters, parents and me. Unfortunately it soon became clear that his addictive behaviors, which had laid dormant for a time, were re-surfacing. All the love, prayer and HOPE in the world could not save him…as he seemed so often, not to want to be saved.

We parted company in the 2002 after many talks and tears. Always the optimist, I told him I knew that one day he could find peace, love, and HOPE. He laughed, looked at me with a smile and said, “Not likely, Doll.”

After years of painful struggle…he finally surrendered to sleep on Monday April 11, just a week after his 43rd birthday. He leaves behind many friends who will miss him greatly. Most importantly, a beautiful daughter who inherited his brilliant mind. She’s a recent college graduate bound for a career in the medical profession.

I will remember my friend fondly; His smile, wit, love of my children and a mind that could never rest. He had a million ideas…and was constantly seeking to have them come to life. If only he would have wanted that more…the love of life.

The young lives we touch as educators, are often like that of my friend. But…with just the right circumstances, and caring heart, there is still hope that they could be saved. Let us be sure to take time to do this, to reach out, to seek LIFE passionately, and help others to…even when we are exhausted by it.

Be at Peace friend…may you have found the place where “clouds of dream give second sight.”

Sleep

The evening hangs beneath the moon
A silver thread on darkened dune
With closing eyes and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon

Upon my pillow, safe in bed,
A thousand pictures fill my head,
I cannot sleep, my minds aflight,
And yet my limbs seem made of lead

If there are noises in the night,
A frightening shadow, flickering light…
Then I surrender unto sleep,
Where clouds of dream give second sight.

What dreams may come, both dark and deep
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep
As I surrender unto sleep.

Charles Anthony Silvestri, 1965-present

Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 2.0, ‘Sleep’ from Eric Whitacre on Vimeo.