Author: admin

Everyone who knew Brian, loved Brian.

He could be charming, with a sharp wit, and he was also incredibly kind. I heard he had once been a semi-professional wrestler, which explained his powerful build and cauliflower ears. Brian was also a deeply spiritual man who didn’t take life too seriously. He knew we are only here on earth for a short visit before moving on to someplace better. Our conversations ranged from crude jokes to exploring deeply spiritual ideas.

Brian could be intimidating and very loud, and he had piercing blue eyes. I knew people who were afraid of Brian, but anyone who took the time to get to know him discovered a warm, loving, and kind friend.

He was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, we laughed, a lot!

I have done a many of drawings of Brian (and will do many more), there are only a few here, I’m never satisfied. Try as I might I cannot convey the complexity of this saint who was so rough on the outside but so bright and beautiful on the inside.

My friend from the forest

Have you ever met one of those “magical children” who talks to fairies, and aliens and sees ghosts? That’s Matthew. There is something magical and special about him. One minute you are discussing the weather and the next you are talking about the crystal light people that you can only see through refracted light. The conversations just always felt so normal. 

When I knew Matthew he lived in a haunted forest near the Grand River. We often talked about the forest spirits. Most were good but there were also some who were not. Occasionally they would threaten or harass him so badly that you might see Matthew on the street yelling back at them. Matthew was also very generous and freely gave away his clothing, possessions and food to anyone in need.