He always smiled at me, when I passed him in a corridor or dorway. He had warm eyes. I didn't know him, didn't even know his name, but I will miss him, and mourn him.
It is strange, to feel such sadness for a person I had never spoken to. I cannot say that I mourn the loss of his friendship, for we were never friends. I feel sadness for my friends who were friends with him, for the pain they must be feeling. I feel sadness for his family, whose lives will never be the same. I mourn the loss of a young life, taken before its time. I will miss his presence, now that I will be conscious that he is not there.
I hope that wherever he is now, he can see how much he meant to so many people. I hope that he has found peace.
I'm not religious, but I've always found comfort in the words of the hymn 'Abide With Me', and others might too.
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
