I was going to share a serendipitous story with you today.
But I just found out that one of the finest people I have ever known died yesterday. Ben Hopkin. He was a student of ours in the MFA program in San Diego. Rick and I auditioned him and brought him into the program. We stayed friends for all these years. Husband, father, defender of the marginalized, teacher, actor, director – he was all of that and more. He had been battling cancer and was doing well before he took a turn for the worse. He was posting about RBG from his hospital bed. I thought he would come through. It never occurred to me that he wouldn’t.
He had lymphoma, the same cancer that took my brother.
I am shaken to my core. I really loved Ben. He was kind and compassionate and funny and devoted to his Mormon faith, yet liberal and a feminist. I just found out the terrible news as I was starting to write a post, so please understand that I cannot write about anything other than Ben.
And my dad, whose birthday is today.
Too young. Much too young.
I am heartbroken.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Sorry for your loss, Claudia. Hope you can find comfort in sharing memories of him with your friends that knew him. Sounds like a fine man.
Oh, Claudia, I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. Seems he was truly one in a million. Not too many Mormons can identify with being a liberal or a feminist. I was raised in that group, as were my mother and five siblings and only one of them would now claim to be both. Most of us have totally given up on that doctrine and three of them still cling to it with all of their might, blindfolds firmly in place, if you ask me. But you didn’t, I know. Still, sorry for all of it.
I am so sorry.
Your Dad, your brother, and your very beloved friend. So much sadness.
My heart hurts for you.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. The photo of the beautiful tree reflects the moment somehow.
Prayers…have lost several beloved people this year…it is so painful…the loss…nothing else matters when that happens…thinking of you today…brendab
I am very sorry for your loss. Losing a good friend is very like losing a family member, heartbreaking.
P.S. We have come together on this blog…caring about each other…discussing books, hobbies…etc…thank you…in 2008, I met some lovely ladies on an author’s blog…I don’t follow her blog anymore as she went to Facebook, which I do not do…but one woman and I have stayed friends…we text, call…and do gifts at our birthdays…we are close…live far apart…but that blog brought us together…I call her a dear friend…amazing technology…thank you Claudia…brendab
Oh Claudia, I am so sorry for the loss of your good friend Ben. He sounded like an all around good guy…and was taken too soon. May you cherish your memories of him, and find some peace today. ;)
I am deeply sorry. Claudia. Losses like that are a gut punch.
Claudia, I am so, so sorry.
Oh, Claudia. I am SO sorry for the losses you’re feeling today; may the sight of the lovely trees in autumn splendor give you calm.
I am so very sorry Claudia. Hugs to you.
Claudia, I am so sorry for the pain of the loss you are feeling. There has been way too much of it lately. Last Monday, my sweet neighbor’s mom died as well as a dear friend of our family. That is the second time since April that we have lost 2 wonderful people on the same day, none of them covid related. It’s been a very harsh summer.
Lymphoma is crap. I was diagnosed with it in October 2013, then the surgeries, treatments, procedures and tests and more treatments and side affects ever since. We all have something to deal with.
Take care,
Kelly
So sorry,Claudia. Sending a big hug xo
I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend, and the loss you are feeling for your father and brother.
So sorry, Claudia. It always strikes me when a good, kind soul is taken and the horrific live on. I so do not understand. Justice seems elusive everywhere and every day. My thoughts are with you.
So sorry, Claudia. Prayers for you and Ben’s family.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your good friend, Claudia. My thoughts are with you.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your good friend Ben, Claudia. Remember the good times you shared with him, as well as those with your father and brother.
Very sad. I am so sorry.
sorry for the losses of your father and brother and now your friend ben. may you find comfort in happy memories of time spent together and in God’s promises of eternal life and a great reunion.
i hope you’ve been taking it easy today, doing just what you want.
sending you a virtual hug, if you want, and wishing a happy birthday to your father up in heaven.
xo
kathy in iowa
That is sad. I am sorry for your loss.
Thinking of you and sending a virtual hug as you mourn the loss of a good friend!
We all feel pain at the loss of a really good friend, and so I wish to let you know that I am sorry for your loss. Life is never the same when a good friend is missing. Just take care and be extra kind to yourself at this time.
You’ve written about your friend Ben in a way that makes us all wish we’d had a chance to know him.
Too many losses. I’m so sad for you and Don.
Claudia I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. Life seems even more fragile and precious these days. I find myself missing my brother so very much. Hugs!