Satya - And Death In General

Wood met Satya in college at UC Berkeley. They initially didn't like each other - hated each other actually. Somewhere along the way they each softened up, got to know each other, and became best friends. But that's only part of the story. See, 'Best Friends' is not really the correct term. It's tough to define their relationship and the bond they shared, it was special. So much so that when they were 'them' and Wood and I were first dating, I was almost jealous. They called each other 'brother' - not brotha' - they were connected much more deeply than that. They were soul mates. Satya was the best man at our wedding, and as good as I am, Satya was the one person that Wood wanted to talk to when times were tough or out of this world funny. In many ways he was Wood's Rock, much like Wood is to many of those around him.

He visits. Not his memory - him. Holding on, unable to let go. Still suffering. Reminding us of the void that his absence has created. Sometimes, it's very difficult to keep his visits in check. His visits and his memory are every bit as intense as he was.

This became the Satya's Death announcement. Talk about all that the 21st Century has to offer... it was sent to our friends via email. Neither of us had it in us to talk to everyone on the phone.

Satya

June 27, 1972 - September 19, 2005

He loved good food, music, literature and beautiful people - and shared these
things with the wonderful people that he surrounded himself with. No doubt, he was a charismatic person that others enjoyed very much. He was a skilled tradesman - a gifted carpenter and painter, active in the Stagehands Union for many years.

He was raised in "A-to-Z-in-the-USA" (Azusa, CA). He lived in the Oakland/Berkeley area for more than 10 years and studied Psychology at UC Berkeley. Upon his graduation, he studied and was ordained in the Japanese Soto Zen Tradition of Buddhism at the San Francisco Zen Center, spending considerable time living, working and practicing at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, in the Carmel Valley, and Green Gulch Farm in Sausalito.

He battled depression and the resulting alcohol and drug use for much of his adult life. Last Sunday, he overdosed and was admitted to the hospital for treatment. Despite the best efforts of doctors to reverse the damage done, he suffered severe liver damage and his body began to shut down. Out of respect for his wishes His family released life supports on Monday.


Satya was the first of many deaths in a year. Hertha, a work colleague, was second. Dolly , my great, great aunt, third. Jack, Dolly's son-in-law, fourth. Fifth was Mr. K, my 17 year old grey tuxedo cat. Sixth, in September 2006, my dad. We are currently in the midst of a quite welcomed dry spell.

Since death announcements never do the dead person justice and death usually includes uresolved business, there will be more installments to come on this subject.