What does it mean to live forever? Is it the literal interpretation of breathing and moving around in a biological machine? Could it be something different? Could you live forever in the brains and sinews of those who love and respect you? I hope so.
I hope so because then my friend is never truly gone. I don’t dwell on the past, and I don’t forsake the moment or future in obsessive reflections, however on anniversaries I will take a moment and remember. I remember James and his red mullet. I remember his love of my artwork. I remember his generous nature and his warm inviting smile. I loved him as a friend before I knew what the word ‘love’ meant. It is because of that love, that I keep him alive through these annual posts and reflections.
I grew up in a Mormon household. James grew up in a Catholic one, though from my exposure to him, it wasn’t a very active one. He would relay tales of girls and fights and partying, everything I desired to experience. I lived the life I wanted to live vicariously through him. Whether all of his stories were based in reality was inconsequential to my cravings to consume them. He was a gatekeeper that ignited my imagination and though I risk bloviating his memory, I did look up to him.
On this anniversary allow me to celebrate my friend James Donald Durrant. You will continue to live through me, as I lived so many years ago through you.
I miss you.
