Bears 22, Bills 19

My dear friend Paul Richardson died last Wednesday. I found his body in hs house at 9am. I had gone to check on him, walk his dog and pick up some groceries for him. He suffered from Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome ans was experiencing a bout of it last week. The coroner determined that Paul suffered a massive heart attack which would have rendered him unconscious very quickly. it is unclear - and hardly matters - what the relationship was between his illness and his heart.

I, and only I (apart from the professional paramedics, police, coroner etc) saw him that morning. I insisted that his mother and brother not see him when they arrived at the house. The image of his lifeless body on the stairway landing will haunt me for some time but, as my mother reminded me, at least I saved his mother from being the one who found him. She easlily could have been.

Paul and I were room-mates in residence in first year university in 1981 and were close friends ever since. I was given the opportunity to speak at his Memorial Service yesterday. I tried to convey a sense of what it meant to be a friend of Paul's. His kindness, generosity and sense of humour touched all who knew him. I was the first speaker at the service and I tried to share some funny stories about Paul. People told me afterward that I helped ease the tension and sadness a little bit. I was most proud that I could get through my remarks without breaking down. Funny how people can "rise to the occaission" when they have to.

I will think of Paul every day. I was priviledged and honoured to have been his friend.