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A tribute to a facebook friend I will never meet.
"I befriend the best people, Ian. Appreciate the life and the health you have, for I've got naught." -Mike Edge Mike's final words to me in August of 2007 remind me of a Shakespearian tragedy: "I've Got Naught". They sound like the words of a ghost. Sure enough... his spirit was already drifting away from the Earthen realm. Like a man stuck in the painful clutches of purgatory, he was not fully alive, but not yet resigned to the peaceful slumber that death offers. Oh the self inflicted turmoil he must have endured! "I have a malignant tumor taking over my stomach. I get scanned next week to see the extent, but surgery is a certainty if it can even be stopped. I may never get to teach, but I've lived longer (at 25) than some truly amazing people (Aaliyah and so many more). I hope you'll never take what you've got for granted. You may well be luckier than me. We'll find out, won't we..." Oh what a faceless facebook friend you were Mike! Of all the random people who I will never know... you were probably the only one I actually wanted to meet! I promise to never take "what I've got" for granted. In your honor, I will spread your message of hope to others so that your spirit will live on and you will not have died in vain! During those final months of your life I was silent... I didn't have the heart to respond to your final message to me. Strange that I feel such a sense of loss. I never met you in the flesh. Our only connection - a chance meeting in the "Alternative Energy" group on facebook. And yet we formed a strong connection. From across the world we discussed issues of: Energy, Health, Philosophy, Gardening, Spirituality, Healing, Economics, Polotics, Love, Relationships, . It always seemed like time was running out and we had to clear our minds of as much important information as possible.. or else that information would forever be lost. Buried beneath the Earth. Drifting up into the Heavens. Dancing from star to star. No longer haunting us, but instead flowing freely; like comets darting through space. I am comforted to know that the demons inside of you have granted you liberation from your pain. May the horrors of suffering haunt you no more! Be at peace and become one with the endlessness of the Universe. Like so many people in this world you seemed drawn to the Internet in search of valuable (much needed) information. It saddens me how information fails to flow freely in our society today. Many of us are so programmed by misinformation that even when good advice is staring us in the face we fail to change our lifestyles. Mike, you reminded me so much of who I used to be: very strong mentally, yet out of control physically. I know only very sparse details about your consumption habits, but they provide valuable clues into what ultimately destroyed you... A few quotes forshadow your deteriorating condition: "What worries me is that I never developed my internal chi healing abilities. I took tai chi, but Western medicine may perscribe chemotherapy which will do much harm to me." Even when prescribe harmful Western medicine you still refused to listen to your body? If only you had taken the time to look within! "If I make it though the doc's treatment, I should be fine." "I could have had this looked at 5 months ago, but Greece's health care system confused me and my program wasn't prepared to give any useful advice so I ignored what oft felt like I was choking to death." "I've bought tons of junk food for this weekend to enjoy life while I wait on more test results." From a previous June message: "I'll continue with my heavy icecream and doughnut diet. Are sugars REALLY bad for ulcers? I guess I could review what wikipedia has on it again. It's for my own good, but I already gorged on ice cream today so if it's bad, it's too late for me to get a good night's sleep tonight. Bummer. Ouch! It still hurts even after the acid suppressant the doctor gave me. If I lay down, it hurts more." This message really made me want to cry. The junk food was eating him alive and he still was unable to overcome his addiction. Why are food companies not help more accountable for poisoning us with processed undigestible foods? One final though... In the same June message Mike wrote: "Severe pain has brought my health to my attention with a vengeance and it's persistent. Don't worry, though. If I was dying, I would distance myself from everyone, so I'll be fine." How ironic that I distanced myself from him when I knew his condition was deteriorating. I tried in vain to help consult him on proper nutrition and to steer him away from junk food. But clearly it was too little too late. Ultimate change and healing must start from within or no amount of external help will do any good. Rest In Peace facebook friend. Perhaps you will be reborn in a healthier body someday and you'll have another chance to fulfill your mission here on Earth. Love and Light, Ian Furey |