When I picked up the mail this morning I smiled.
Nestled between the pizza flyer and a catalogue was a letter from my good friend Lockwood.
I thought, “Oh great. Lock has sent his Christmas missive early.”
I eagerly ripped open the envelope and took out the paper — and then stopped smiling. The first words I read were, “It is with sadness that we mark the passing of Lockwood Lyon.”
I froze in place. Gob smacked!
Read some more.
And then the sadness, grief hit. And, for the next 15 minutes I sobbed uncontrollably. My cat was upset by my crying. I had to boot her into the basement so I could read a bit, cry a lot, read a bit, and cry some more.
FUCK!
I last spoke with Lock last Christmas. It was my ritual to call him near year end to check in and see how he was doing. Last time I called he was doing well. Though in a wheelchair he was full of energy and ideas. He was delighted that he had shed 100 pounds and was feeling great.
Shortly after talking with him I received a Christmas card from him that was so neat I kept it on top of my monitor. Then a few weeks ago I took it down. Hmm! I can’t remember when exactly. But, it was, I believe, shortly after his death October 5th.
I miss him so, so much.
His obituary describes him as a contrarian. I prefer eclectic: He loved clowns and clowning. He enjoyed magic and taught his 4 sons card tricks. He read widely — histories, philosophy, and the classics. In his later years he took up rug braiding and developed a new method of monitoring caloric intake — and lost 100 lbs.
I met Lock when I was, like him, a student in the MSOD program at Pepperdine. He was 63! I 39! I loved him like a father. I think in me he saw another son… maybe. In our Memory Book he wrote this, “Lyle, thank you for your kindness and special friendship. This has been a great experience. Let’s agree to keep in close touch.”
In the end we spoke once a year. But, after the first5 years or so years went by without conversation or sporadic letters.
I am so glad I made the effort I did to keep in touch.
LOCK, I miss your jokes, your shy smile, your great big heart, and your warmth.
Rest in Peace my dear one!
