Posted in Special Thoughts of Mine

Once again sorrow has come into my life.  A dear friend and teacher has passed away.  Tony Kessick taught me computer programming, database management, college math, and much, much more.  He was a teacher at my college, yes, but became a dear friend and mentor in many areas.  I will miss him very much.

Tony was not only a teacher, but a playwright.  He had many of his shows performed on Broadway and many other areas.  He was quite talented in several fields, and used his talents in extraordinary ways.  He was also a member of the American Mensa Society, and his intelligence spoke volumes in many ways.

Tony was a quiet man.  He loved to do crosswords and many puzzle games.  He enjoyed developing them, too.  He had the ability to wrap his mind around nearly anything and find the logic in it. 

Tony enjoyed my writing.  I was honored each time he mentioned something he'd read here on my blog, in my newsletter, or in one of the many magazine articles I've written.  He seemed to always know when something of mine had been published and was eager to read it...and critique it.  However, his criticism took the form of encouragement...urging me to write more and more, no matter how much time I had or other tasks that needed done. 

Tony was diagnosed with cancer last Fall, first in his lungs, and then a brain tumor was found.  The doctors operated to remove the tumor and he began treatments.  However, those treatments had to be curtailed earlier this year due to low blood count.  I have to admit, he went through much pain and I am glad he is no longer suffering.  That may seem a horrid thing to say, but its just the plain truth.  After seeing so many suffer through years of treatments and pain, I'm glad his was relatively swift--just a matter of months instead of years.  The world has lost a great man this week, but I'm glad I had the honor of being allowed the privilege of coming to know him and learn from him.

As I've sat and mourned today, I've spent much time in the Word.  God has been merciful and given me His peace, for which I am grateful.  One of the many passages that have offered me comfort this day...

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.  For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.  Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob.  Selah.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.  Who is the King of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.  Selah.  ~Psalm 24

Goodbye, Tony, dear friend.

Many hugs,

Cynthia Robin