Ewart Oakeshott, Hank Reinhardt, Jody Sampson & Joachim Nillson are folks that I feel like I know even though I never met them. They were legends, authors, enthusiasts, master bladesmiths & practitioners. While I have been a part of this community for only a short while, I am always struck by the honor and tribute this group continues to bestow upon former members whose lives have come to an end. It speaks volumes to the collective good character of the community and that of a worthwhile cause (to learn). I'll think I'll stay. Every time a see one of your tributes, it reminds me of the following poem written by Lisel Mueller, the 1996 Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry.

In Passing

How swiftly the strained honey
of afternoon light
flows into darkness

and the closed bud shrugs off
its special mystery
in order to break into blossom:

as if what exists, exists
so that it can be lost
and become precious

In honor of the ones that are not forgotten and to those who won't let them be forgotten.

please add any names of fallen friends that I may have left off..