THIS AFTERNOON, WHEN THE MEMBERS OF THE ACTING WORKSHOP MET IN THE
CAFETERIA BEFORE CLASS, I RECEIVED THE NEWS THAT RALPH HAD PASSED AWAY ON SATURDAY. HE WAS A REALLY UNUSUAL PERSON, SMALL IN STATURE, BUT OUTSIZE IN HUMOUR, WISDOM, AND COURAGE. HE WAS AN AMAZING NINETY-FIVE YEARS OLD, A JOY IN CLASS, COMICAL AND CHARMINGLY LOVEABLE, ALWAYS A SUCCESS BEFORE THE PUBLIC BECAUSE HE HAD A PRESENCE. HE PROUDLY MEMORIZED HIS PARTS, AND THE AUDIENCE FELT THE JOY HE EXPERIENCED IN PERFORMING.
STRANGE, BUT I DO NOT FEEL HE IS GONE FROM THE GROUP. HE REMAINS SO STRONGLY IN OUR MEMORY THAT WE DON'T FEEL SO BEREFT. HIS PRESENCE LINGERS.
I'VE NOTICED THAT I FEEL THAT WAY ABOUT CERTAIN OTHERS WHO HAVE DIED, OTHERS WHOM I HAVE LOVED OR WHO HAVE MAJOR INFLUENCES IN MY LIFE. THIS IS NOT "SPOOKY," BUT MOST COMFORTING, TO HAVE THEM STILL AROUND.
ANOTHER THING FOR WHICH TO BE GRATEFUL.
THANK GOD FOR ALL GOOD FRIENDS.