07 April 2006

No finer friend

George Leslie Norris, May 21, 1920 - April 6, 2006

9 comments:

Chemical Billy said...

Ah, no - Leslie Norris died! How did he go?

I remember skipping my high school classes to sit in on his - his poet's voice reciting the Wasteland. I still hear that voice in my dreams...

Jamie said...

Oh, Georgia...that breaks my heart! I looooved Sir Leslie! You must tell us a little more...like Chemical Billy, I snuck into many of his classes and enjoyed every last minute. What a wonderful, wonderful man and what a loss.

dalene said...

I just read last night about his passing and realized that not just a bright light--but a beautiful bright light has blinked out of the universe.

(And while busy I'm kicking myself, I'm learning once again the hard lesson of what being insecure and a tad bit flakey can cost a person. My point: Life is too short--so it's just plain foolishness not to avail oneself of any opportunity to sit quietly and listen and learn at the feet of brilliance.)

Geo said...

Billy: He had a major stroke and the hemorrhaging was essentially what killed him. It was a rough go for his loved ones, but the doctors say that the nature of the stroke took from him his ability to sense the pain and struggle. His last moments were absolutely peaceful, gentle, and private.

I loved to hear him read too, and of course tell stories and teach, but what I loved and love best and already miss is the sound of his warbling singing voice.

James: Full of wonders is so right.

Compulsive: I agree with all my heart with all that you said. There are so many lessons to take away from knowing a person so completely full of life and light and joy.

Scott said...

The sense of loss I feel at this news is impossible for me to express. I hear him lecture when I was at BYU and I have never been as spellbound as I was that evening. Time passed much too quickly. Thanks to Georgia, I was able to meet him a few months ago and I am so very glad I had that opportunity. The muses must be weeping while heaven recieves again a choice son. Farewell, dear Leslie. Your poet's voice forever touched this writer's heart. Your words I will forever cherished.

Jamie said...

Thanks for more info, Geo...and thanks for the nice link...I didn't notice it the other day, but I came back and read it today and it made me even more sad. I really hate it when husbands and wives are separated, even for a short time, by death, especially when they were truly 'one.' (I am assuming Kitty is still living, and that's so sad). Anyway, thanks again for sharing the news. I guess it makes me sad, too, because it was Kevin who always took me to see Leslie Norris, and they became pretty good friends, so that's two creative geniuses out of the world and my life.

Geo said...

Scott: Doesn't it strike you as remarkable that he crossed over on April 6th?

James: Kitty is still very much alive and wonderful.

I'm sure I will have more to say about all this in time. For now, I'm just trying to take in the lessons that are being driven home to me following Leslie's death. Why is it that even when you love and appreciate somebody, you are able to see them with increased clarity and receptiveness when they leave?

Carina said...

Wow...

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to hear him over the years. We were so lucky to have him with us.

Geo said...

Carina: Yes, yes.