This week I encountered the news of the deaths of two people from my past. One was a young magician who I had once taught magic to. I had lost contact with him over the last few years, but several days ago saw his name pop up on my Facebook friends list. Out of curiosity, I went to his page only to read some very strange condolence posts being made. I followed the thread back over a year, only to find out that he had died. It seems nobody knew how. Kind of strange.

But even stranger was a few days after that. I got a call from a friend I've known since 1st grade. He said he'd heard from his dad about the death of someone we both knew as the neighborhood bully when we were growing up. I was able to find the obituary to confirm it, and have talked to a few other people who also knew him. What seemed very surreal was the fact that everyone just responded with more of a shrug than anything... a wake of indifference that lasted for 50 years.

Michael, sorry to hear of the loss of your magician pupil. Death is never a friendly message. As for the neighborhood bully, it only illustrates that you are remembered for who and what you are in life.