I met him in Aug of 09 in Portland, Oregon when he came down from the mountain to meet me and discuss the pros and cons of living in a trailer. We quickly got philosophical and never stopped as we reconnected many times in the coming years.
Here, we connected in Salida, Colorado 2 years ago. A few days ago we made plans to connect in Wyoming after the eclipse. I lost computer service for awhile, then yesterday I received the same sad notice that all his friends received: "See you soon".
RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: Here's my take on this extraordinary man and his extraordinary death:
1, HE WALKED HIS TALK. He said he would do this willingly when he felt the moment was right--and he did!
2. HIS BOLDNESS AND COURAGE WILL REFRESH DISCUSSION OF A GREAT MORAL QUESTION: DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE MANNER AND TIME OF OUR DEATH.
3. HE INSPIRES ME TO DIE COURAGEOUSLY BY MY CHOICE WHENEVER I WISH.
( Though I must admit that we also hurried to contact the authorities in his area when we read his note)
4. HIS INABILITY TO GET HIS PAIN ALLEVIATED AT THE VA HAS INSPIRED ME TO BRING THIS INCIDENT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE VA REQUESTING THAT THEY REEXAMINE THEIR PROCEEDURES IN DEALING WITH SUCH CASES. Did they take his complaints seriously---or just dismiss him with a handfull of pills?
5. I HAVE RESOLVED TO ASSEMBLE THOSE WHO LOVED HIM IN A CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE THIS WINTER AT THE RTR (Rubber tramp Rendezvous) at Quartzsite, Az.
6. I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER AND REVIEW HIS BASIC IDEAS:
A. Perhaps there is a God---who loves us.
B. Attempts to communicate with us directly---often through synchronicities.
C. Perhaps we are an immortal soul inhabiting a body.
D. Perhaps we will be reincarnated after we die.
E, Perhaps God wants us to live happy and fulfilling lives and guides us when we are receptive.
Wayne was not alone in his beliefs. Here's what my favorite poet, Walt Whitman had to say on the subject of death:
"As to you death, you bitter hug of mortality,
It is idle to try to alarm me.
No doubt I have already died many times before.
I wish I could translate the hints about those dead young men and women,
and the hints about old men and mothers
and the offspring taken soon out of their laps.
what do you think has become of the young and old men
what do you think has become of the women and children?
They are alive and well somewhere.
The smallest sprout shows there's really no death
All goes onward and outward and nothing collapses,
and to die is different than anyone supposed.
Has anyone considered it lucky to be born?
I hasten to inform him or her that it is just as lucky to die.
And I know it.
I do not know what is untried and afterward
but I know it is sure, and alive and sufficient.
Do you see oh my brothers and sisters, it is not chaos and death,
It is form and union and plan,
it is eternal life, it is happiness.
