That picture was taken on a trip to Chicago in May 2018. My friend Russell was alive & well then & I probably meant to share it with him. I have no idea if I did.
My friend Russell died almost three years ago. Since his death I have been playing in chronological order his appearances as Howard Gently on Self Help Radio. He improvised the role of my spiritual mentor. Lucky for me, he did it over a hundred times. Unlucky for me, eventually I will arrive at his last appearance on the show.
Probably I don't need to tell you I am dreading that. I thought we were coming close. Russell did not appear as Howard Gently on many episodes of Self Help Radio in 2018. Since I do my dumb radio show weekly, I don't really remember lots of the details of the shows I've done. But I have glanced ahead - & luckily this week's show won't be the last Howard Gently show. I am relieved by that.
Because as grateful as I am that he left us - he left me - with so many hours of his brilliance, when I come to the end of that, it may feel like I am losing him all over again. & I don't want to feel that way.
But like I said! That won't be this week! But having his voice in my head makes me miss him so much. Such a smart, funny person. You really don't get so many of those personally in your life, do you.
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