George Miller

Fallen

George Miller was a friend of mine.  "No-relation,"he'd say, and laugh like that was the best comedy he ever heard,  He was about 10 years my senior and had served a brutal time in Vietnam.  Once told me he never regretted it, said if it were not for nam, he'd have never found "good Drugs"  which caused him to wanna change, then he was able to really look at himself.  I love that logic, I've used it myself to describe myself and others, as the need came up.
Anyway, George was killed on November 11. 2007,  A freak accident got him.  His truck was in the shop to be prepared and he rode a friends bicycle home from work.  He was killed by a driver going just a tad bit over the limit.  I don't know details much but bottom line is, it was an accident, nothing evil, nothing malicious. Not a bit a harm were intended.  Here one day, gone the next.  Odd. Unsettling.
 I've only known George for about ten years.  I remember the first time we talk, I told him, wow, you are just like an old me.  I don't remember what I meant but I know me. I meant it to be a compliment.  I meant it to exciting cuz' then I could learn, I might be the student... Over the next decade we never really got to be close.  We had a couple of mutual acquaintances  with whom we were very close  so on occasion, we'd find ourselves having opportunities to have really long, deep, conversations.  I loved it. I know every time I'd see him I'd grin, hug him. But all told, we probably spent between 5 and 18 hours together on just under 20 occasions.. We had also worked together on exactly two occasions.  We did little socializing there thou.  George would drive ya nuts.  Slowest guy ever. Deadlines???HMMMM, "I don't get paid enough for deadlines."
Anyway, I spoke with his latest girlfriend today. I had never met her.  Says the family has some weird faith or notion that if I were to have a memorial get-together, he would not rest.  I am trying real hard not to be selfish but aren't these things designed to soothe us?  me?  I got a meeting with 'em tomorrow, I'll let you know what changes,  I'd like to burn a little reef play some good music, eat, tell stories about how George touched our lives.....Couple of over-the-top cocktails, blammo.  But that just me.