RIP Ira Kleinberg

This morning I sorted through a stack of papers on the dining room table. When Owen had dug out a box of college era things of mine, I had done a run through, and thrown a lot out, but there was still too much sitting there, so I sifted through it again. I came across a postcard from a friend that was in New York for the summer of 1982. I looked at it today and it seemed like such a period piece. with its references to Sony Walkmen and the Mudd Club. It made me smile. His last scribbled comment: "This place is for you!!! Totally."

I had wondered what ever happened to Ira Kleinberg. I'd lost touch with him a long, long ago. I knew he'd gone on to be a success because, well, I just knew. He was an amazing person. Somebody who seemed both brilliant and kind, and that's not an easy feat at the age of 18, when I first met him. I had thought of him occasionally over the years and had even made a casual effort at finding him online to no success. I tried it again today and found his obituary. I was so startled. Stupidly so. Why do I assume long lost friends haven't run into all the challenges of life that are out there, that have touched us and those we love? Why do I think they will all be living happily ever after? I suppose because it's what I wish for them.

I read the obituary and it sounded just like the man, well, really the boy, that I remember. And the picture could have been from 1982 as well.

Such lovely words, "a gentle and generous man with incisive wit and sublime intelligence."

I realize that I am 53 and more and more this will be my experience, but I naively never expected it. My friends and I would be different....is that what I thought? I don't know, I don't know.

RIP Ira.