Goodbye Sree Krishna, My Friend

Dear Kitty, 

I am writing this to unburden. And to say thanks for everything. And to let Aadya and Rashmi know what you meant to so many of us. 

Madan called to tell me what had happened. It was shocking. The first thing on hearing the sad news was to imagine those last few moments. To imagine the terror. How horrific it must have been to pass away in pain, all alone. 

And then to worry for Aadya and for Rashmi. I lost a sister some time ago. I feel her child's pain. But it is the spouse who suffers the longest, who is reminded every day in every little thing they do, of the person who was a part of them not being there anymore. And since, in a small way, I was one of the reasons you and Rashmi came together, I felt guilty. Had I not hired Rashmi...

But then I reminded myself that you were an idealist, an optimist, a person filled with gratitude and someone who spread happiness all around. So I should not be dwelling on my grief and guilt. I should be thinking of the good times, of the good things we did together over the years. The thing that I cherish is that you and I were soul mates of the work place. We introspected about our work, we worried about what it stood for, about how far we strayed from an ideal to achieve a goal and we worried about quality. You held a mirror to the decisions I made to show how it deviated from the ideal. While some people dismiss idealism, it the idealist who changes the world, not by coercion but by moral authority.  

It is this same idealism that you brought to the new business idea you were working on with Murli. This idealism coupled with a quiet sense of determination made your ideas compelling, made it a pleasure to talk to you, a pleasure to work with you. I am sure Murli will see through what you have conceived. 

Even in friendship you achieved an ideal. Your and Srinath's friendship was a perfect one. Among family and friends you spread happiness. You had your own personal challenges but you were always willing to help others, empathize and give freely. 

Take care my friend. And lets meet on the other side. Only this time I wish you will agree to have a beer.