This week marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of a very lovely online friend and member of the community, author Dan Kincaid/Sam. (He died, I believe, on either October 25th of 2008, or October 26th.) I only had the privilege of corresponding with him for a few months before he died, but I'm really glad we did. Back in those days, Adam and I were...well, let's just say that we had somewhat of a personality clash going on, and Sam was really good at being a mediator.

He was a very sweet, caring person, which you felt while reading his bio story,It Started With Brian . Sam was also unbelievably smart, too, which is why I felt so honored whenever the guy would tell me that he found me to be a pretty bright person, if prone to being annoying to above-25 people. Sam had a way of making you feel like he cared a lot about you, and I definitely miss having the conversations we used to have. When I was 22, I was going through an extremely rough patch in my life (I'd say it was the lowest point of my life), and Sam would often call me out on my bullshit and try to encourage me to do better and feel better. He would constantly tell me that I'd turn out fine, when at 22 I was this big fucking neurotic mess with little to think about except my next college rager, and how bitter I was about my troubled upbringing. This, while the guy himself knew that he wouldn't live to see his 35th birthday. But that's the kind of guy Sam was, and why this world is a little bit sadder and a little bit darker without someone like him around doing his best to make things better for those around him.

Strange to think he's been gone 5 years, and that Adam is now 34, the same age that Sam was when he passed. I really hope that Sam's life partner and his son (who should be about 17 now) are doing well. And I like to think that somewhere, Sam smiled when I got my graduate degree from IUP last year with a 3.75 G.P.A.

Anyway...*throws back SoCo Lime shot over shoulder* Here's to you, Sam. Those who were privileged to have known you will never forget you.