Gregory, just another ‘wee’ comment on your latest moving thoughts about the unforgettable John: I grew up without a father as well. He died when I was just a 3y/o child. I hope one day you pay a visit to us here in the Brazilian highlands in Minas Gerais state. Adna, Pedro and I will love having you here with us. Seria fantástico reencontrar você e lhe hospedar na nossa casa. Você foi uma pessoa marcante na minha vida. Finalmente, você precisa definitivamente incluir o Brasil no seu currículo meu amigo. O inverno daqui (junho, julho e agosto) é ideal para um cara de Boston 😊
Fernando, meu amigo, I would love to go to Brazil and visit you. We will see when that becomes possible, but I truly hope that it will happen before long. Um abraço forte desde este lado do Atlântico!
This is a beautiful tribute to your beloved friend. Your way to honour him through kindness and generosity is the best kind of honouring one could hope for.
I'm really sorry for your loss, Gregory. That is a beautiful piece on your friend and mentor, thank you for giving us an inkling of who he whas and what he meant to you.
Beautiful words and text. Last week I got extremely sad to hear of his passing. I had the privilege to spend a year among you. Just a fraction of time but sufficient to realize John was indeed an example to be followed. He was definitely not the ‘prototypical scholar’ and this certainly had an influence in my decision not to get a job at a university here in Brazil. I still teach at the same polytechnic school. You’re absolutely right in saying “John was one of the few academics I have encountered who allowed love to win out over ego.”
Fernando, I'm glad that you too had the chance to learn from John, and to have him as part of your life. We are all very lucky who were in his circle of influence. Let's do our best to continue his legacy. Um abraço, amigo!
May you be comforted, and may you find peace and ease. It’s rare that an academic has a Doktorvater relationship as special as this, and I’m so pleased to know about yours. What a gift.
This was such a poignant and touching tribute. I know your friend John, too, not personally purely from what he was famous for (I've actually read some of his material, one in particular many years ago).
I'm sorry for the loss of a friend and mentor and that you missed the past 10 years of friendship with him, but how lucky to have ever had him in your life (and he, you). I'm envious of the connection you had and the wonderful memories you all built together. What a gift!
Hi Christine! Yes, you’re right, I was very lucky to know him at all. We had a good run, and I will always have those wonderful memories, and the things I learned from him. Thanks for your kind words.
Very moving, very thought-provoking. Strictly as a feat of writing, this post strikes me as the most impressive thing that you've done here. My condolences for your loss.
Thank you, Mike. I can't exactly say that is high praise, since you're comparing me with me. But I like the thought that I did justice to John through my efforts to tell his story well.
https://youtu.be/HLuCv-GuXvM
(Corncrake in buttercups)
My warmest condolences. It is seldom we are fortunate enough to have such a deep friendship.
Thank you very much, Carolyn.
Gregory, just another ‘wee’ comment on your latest moving thoughts about the unforgettable John: I grew up without a father as well. He died when I was just a 3y/o child. I hope one day you pay a visit to us here in the Brazilian highlands in Minas Gerais state. Adna, Pedro and I will love having you here with us. Seria fantástico reencontrar você e lhe hospedar na nossa casa. Você foi uma pessoa marcante na minha vida. Finalmente, você precisa definitivamente incluir o Brasil no seu currículo meu amigo. O inverno daqui (junho, julho e agosto) é ideal para um cara de Boston 😊
Find the time and let me know. We live in a special place on the mountains. A small town surrounded by nature. I’m sure you’ll like it.
Fernando, meu amigo, I would love to go to Brazil and visit you. We will see when that becomes possible, but I truly hope that it will happen before long. Um abraço forte desde este lado do Atlântico!
This is a beautiful tribute to your beloved friend. Your way to honour him through kindness and generosity is the best kind of honouring one could hope for.
Thank you so much, Serena.
I'm really sorry for your loss, Gregory. That is a beautiful piece on your friend and mentor, thank you for giving us an inkling of who he whas and what he meant to you.
Thank you very much, Renata.
Beautiful words and text. Last week I got extremely sad to hear of his passing. I had the privilege to spend a year among you. Just a fraction of time but sufficient to realize John was indeed an example to be followed. He was definitely not the ‘prototypical scholar’ and this certainly had an influence in my decision not to get a job at a university here in Brazil. I still teach at the same polytechnic school. You’re absolutely right in saying “John was one of the few academics I have encountered who allowed love to win out over ego.”
Fernando, I'm glad that you too had the chance to learn from John, and to have him as part of your life. We are all very lucky who were in his circle of influence. Let's do our best to continue his legacy. Um abraço, amigo!
May his memory be for a blessing, Gregory. Sounds like it already was, a few times.
Thanks very much, Caroline.
May you be comforted, and may you find peace and ease. It’s rare that an academic has a Doktorvater relationship as special as this, and I’m so pleased to know about yours. What a gift.
Thank you, Hanne. It really was a gift to have had that relationship. I wish more people could have something like it.
This was such a poignant and touching tribute. I know your friend John, too, not personally purely from what he was famous for (I've actually read some of his material, one in particular many years ago).
Thanks, Daniel. It makes sense that you would have known some of his work. I’m sorry you didn’t get to meet him. He was a great person.
I'm sorry for the loss of a friend and mentor and that you missed the past 10 years of friendship with him, but how lucky to have ever had him in your life (and he, you). I'm envious of the connection you had and the wonderful memories you all built together. What a gift!
Hi Christine! Yes, you’re right, I was very lucky to know him at all. We had a good run, and I will always have those wonderful memories, and the things I learned from him. Thanks for your kind words.
So sad and so beautiful. 💔
Thank you, Charlotte. 🙏
What wonderful memories to live past this hard moment.
Thank you, Robin.
My condolences on the loss of your not-quite father. It is a beautifully written essay and very touching.
Thanks very much, Greta.
This was an utterly beautiful text, went straight to the ❤️
Thank you so much, Carina.
A beautiful tribute -- I'm sorry for your loss. May the warmth of those good memories grow ever stronger in the years to come!
Thanks very much, Marisa.
Very moving, very thought-provoking. Strictly as a feat of writing, this post strikes me as the most impressive thing that you've done here. My condolences for your loss.
Thank you, Mike. I can't exactly say that is high praise, since you're comparing me with me. But I like the thought that I did justice to John through my efforts to tell his story well.