Goodbye, Kurt Vonnegut. Thank you for making me see the absurdity of war. Thank you for teaching me to question control. Thank you for helping me to think. Thank you for making me laugh myself sick.
I’d say you never knew that you imparted these things to me, but I saw you give a lecture once. I was seated in the balcony, eye level with your podium. You talked about the joy you had in not using your computer for anything other than playing chess. You shared tales from your adventures in walking around the city, procuring supplies to mail a letter (you got to check out a lovely woman who sold you stamps), and as you spoke, you looked often at me. So although I’m sure you did not remember me, I think in those moments you knew that you had reached me. When I read the story in Timequake, I could hear your voice and see your tired, sad, mischievous eyes looking at me. It made me happy.
I heard the news this morning that you were gone, and I was very sad for a moment. But then I was happy, knowing how much this world had wearied you, however much you still loved it. I hope your final moments were peaceful. You will be missed.
So it goes.
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9 comments:
Sassy, this is poignant. I have only read one of his books, but I have had it in my head to read more. I'll get to work on it.
You were lucky to see him in person.
So it goes …
I'm so jealous that you got to see him, Sassy. I've got his books stacked on the bedside table ready for re-reading.
I just fetched "A Man Without A Country" over to dig out my favourite Kurt quote:
"We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anbody tell you any different."
So it goes …
Robyn, you owe it to yourself to read more of him. I think it helps to be young (college-age) when you first read him, but he's still great.
So it goes indeed, Dive. That's a great quote. I was so happy that I got to see him. It was an amazing time.
So it goes.
I've not read any of his work but he obviously made a big impression on you Sassy.
I have a big heap of books to read at the moment but I will jab the family bookworm in the ribs and get him to recommend and lend me something.
I'm still working on my English Fluff, when will we see your Fluffs tour of the new homestead?
When Fluff finds Fluff's way out of the box, Fluff will take a tour of the new digs.
I'm not done moving just yet. I'll be in the new place on Sunday.
Do jab the family bookworm in the ribs and get him to loan you Slaughterhouse Five.
Sorted. I'll give him a copy on Saturday.
Good luck for the move, I'm sure you will get by without killing anyone. Moving house scores 12 out of 10 on the getting pissed off scale.
I will think of you on Sunday as I am at Twickenham watching my beloved Leicester Tigers hopefully winning the EDF Cup. I will raise a glass of Guinness and offer a prayer to the God of moving house.
So he went.
I know Kurts son Mark. He is an offbeat character as well as a great pediatrician in the Boston area.
I'm off to re read Bogumbo Snuff Box.
here's to you kurt!!!
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