My friend Artful Dodger is going dark.

I'm often wont to say to myself that this blogging world and the connections made on it can't really count as "real"--that they can't substitute for flesh-and-blood communication and friendships.

And yet.

I've never met Art in person. I don't even know his real name, or where he lives. I've never heard his speaking voice. But in the year and a half that I've known him, he has had a very special place in my life, and eventually my heart. The incredible, smart, kind, caring, funny, brave person that he is has had such a significant impact on me--far more than a great number of "real life" friends have had during this time. And probably more than even he knows, because these kinds of intangible things are impossible to transmit in words. But I've tried to share a little of it with him. And just knowing he was around and I could read him every day was always a comfort to me, no matter what was going on.

His leaving and how sad I feel about it certainly doesn't feel like an "imitation" of real life. It feels like real life, and real loss.

I will miss him very much. And those of you who never got the chance to read him will be missing out. But he's moving on to better things and for that I am very glad.

So before he does his walk into his new sunrise with his lady, I wanted to give him two presents. Since words can really not suffice, these are my best attempt at telling him how I feel as he goes.

Art:

Thank you. You were the one who whispered in my ear.

And all peaceful and happy sailing, wherever you may go, for as long as you keep going.

Love and farewell.