This morning, one of the best friends I’ll ever know passed away.  He was kind, funny, generous, witty, and loyal to a fault, and yet never asked for nor expected anything except authenticity from the plethora of people with whom he chose to surround himself. 

Since I’m currently too bereft (and emotionally numb) to write any sort of eulogy, I am instead appropriating the song “For a Friend” by The Communards—from their 1987 album, Red—as it contains nearly all of the sentiments I’d express to Scott, right now, if I were able.

“For a Friend”
by James Somerville and Richard Coles

I never cried the way I cried over you
As I put down the telephone and the world it carried on
Somewhere else, someone else is crying too
Another man has lost a friend, I bet he feels the way I do

And now I'm left without, I know your love within
As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
All the memories of you come rushing back to me
As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
All I want to do is kiss you once goodbye

Summer comes and I remember how we'd march
We'd march for love and pride, together arm in arm
Tears have turned, turned to anger and contempt
I'll never let you down, a battle I have found

And all the dreams we had, I will carry on
As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
All the memories of you come rushing back to me
As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
All I want to do is kiss you once goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye

And all the dreams we had, I will carry on
As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
All the memories of you come rushing back to me
As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
All I want to do is kiss you once goodbye, goodbye
As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
All the memories of you come rushing back to me
As I watch the sun go down, a darkness comes to me
All I want to do is kiss you once goodbye

Olev Hasholem, my friend.