all the king's horses and all the king's men

just couldn't put natty together again, and he went softly from us on friday afternoon.

Martha called me friday morning and asked me to come, and so I did. She called me at the airport to let me know he had died, and i have to say that was the longest, saddest plane ride i've ever taken. I picked Martha up from the hospital friday night to take her home, and her strength and certainty that this is how things are supposed to be made me see a parent's true love for her child - rather than dwelling on her own sadness, Martha was comforted by her son's release from his suffering. It was a humbling experience for me.

We got through the next few days, the travel, the funeral, the weeping, and I've returned home, inexorably changed.

Thank you for your kind thoughts. Please keep sending your love to Martha, home now, without her boy.

Professor - you are now and will forever be, deeply loved.