Last Wednesday, a friend texted me with a sad news. He broke the shocking news that our common friend, Balmiki, who I have worked with in two companies – has unexpectedly passed away.
Bakmiki, was one of my few friends who I had at my work. We had common passion for nature, photography and poetry.
We had enjoyable times walking, sharing pictures we have taken and talking about books we have enjoyed reading.
I had to ponder why I felt so sad from the news? I have not talked to him for more than one year since he moved to another city.
I realized that when we talked with each other, we were often laughing and exchanging ideas.
Whenever I think of Balmiki, smile comes to my face.
Some reflections on my friend’s sudden passing:
- Do not take anything for granted, focus only on important things.
- By sharing our passion, we share joy with others.
- Quality of our interactions is dependent on how present we are.
- We remember people by how they make us feel.
Rest in peace my dear friend.
Copyright .2020 by Shervin Hojat
I may need to write a tribute to Dr. Thomas F. Freeman. We only talked a couple of times at the University. He treated me like he treated everyone else As an equal in intelligence. He was a man of many talents. So well read he probably knew the Bible, much of the classics, and Shakespeare by heart. A great orator, he taught Martin Luther King, Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, and many others, like Denzel Washington, how to speak in a way that enabled the small university, Texas Southern University to win awards for debate all over the world and beat schools like Harvard in competition. Freeman taught young people philosophy and logic 60 years. At 100, still vital and working every day. I was pleased to see that he was mentioned in the ABC national news last night.
https://abc13.com/dr-thomas-freeman-texas-southern-university-debate-coach-legendary/6235225/
Ron