Death and Want

Ok, I realize this is a very odd title. “Death” and “Want” have been two words I’ve been pondering these past few days. A little backstory. As some of you know, I love comics and the culture that embraces them. I’ve been a fan since I was very young, and I have been very lucky to make some great friends through my hobby. One of which is a guy named Jeremy Dale. Jeremy was a indie comic artist/creator, and his most recent work was a kid’s adventure book name “Skyward”. Jeremy was incredibly skilled as an illustrator, and his style was very animated and a throwback to the simpler times of childhood. He was always such a nice and friendly guy. He never spoke negatively about anything or anyone, always super supportive. Jeremy and his wife, Kelly, made any event they were present for more memorable and fun. One evening earlier this week, Jeremy passed away suddenly. From what we were told he passed surrounded by friends and family, and he passed without much pain or struggle. This has been quite a shock. This news always is. Jeremy and I are close in age, so it’s yet another reminder about mortality. Death is one of the few absolutes in life. My outlook on this subject has shifted many times over the years. For as many friends I’m lucky to have in life, I have lost quite a few people in this early stage. But do we really lose someone? I feel life is just a ton of learning and experiences that shape up the story of you. With that being said memories persevere, thus things you have learned or experiences you have had are still there. Sure, they may have a ton of other thoughts and memories that bury them, but they are there. I believe in dealing with death, you are presented a choice. You choose the path that you go in light of that happening. You can choose to walk through the stages of grief or you can celebrate the person who died. I choose to celebrate. I know that anytime I attend a comic book convention now, it will be different. I won’t get to see Jeremy sitting dilligently behind a table sketching, looking up to flash an acknowledging grin. With him not being there, we lost a really positive, friendly guy. That means to celebrate Jeremy, we have to be a little nicer to people. Be a little more supportive to someone. To be a little more excited about this artform we all love, because Jeremy isn’t there to help foster that excitement. It won’t be easy, and it shouldn’t be, but that’s what we do. I hate this loss for his amazing wife, Kelly. She fortunately has quite a few friends, supporters, and fans that will be there to try to help her and his family get through this. But hopefully, she will see the effect that Jeremy has had on so many people and that will comfort her. So how does “want” come into play here? It’s a word that keeps coming to my attention lately. What do I want in life? Where do I want to work? What do I want to learn next? Where do I want to be in five years? What do I want for dinner? Who do I want to join me on this ride called life? Wanting things is a natural aspect of being a human. We are taught it very early in life even. I’ve been wrestling with my wants allot lately, and the impact of those decisions on myself and others. Then it hit me last night upon hearing the news about Jeremy. These are my wants in a very short list.