Sorrow

Today on Robert Genn's Twice weekly Blog he wrote:

On Saturday morning, 10:30 to be exact, I was painting at my easel when a quiet knock came to my upper studio door. It was my friend and neighbor, Dr. Bob Cheyne, who also happens to be our family doctor.

As soon as I saw his face I knew something was up. "We got the results of your CAT scan," he said.

I ask him to sit down. Without belabouring our conversation, I can sum up what he said in five words:

"Pancreatic cancer--perhaps a year."

After that he went on to talk about how he is planning to use the year, what he plans to do about his much-loved blog, how his daughter Sara may take over the writing, how he will plan to divide up his paintings, etc.  

I just sat in front of the computer stunned.

I have been reading and following Canadian acrylic painter, Robert Genn's writing for many years.  I have one of his books.  He has, through his blog, become like an old friend.  He is an amazing writer and a great great inspiration to thousands of artists. 

He is funny and wise.  How he can find time to paint and write is always been amazing to me.   

I know some of my blog friends out there follow Robert too.  I would like to put out some sort of "tribute" to Robert.  But I am at a loss for words right now.  Even though I've never met him, I feel like a friend would feel...huge sorrow and anger at the unfairness of the prognosis.  Perhaps that is all the tribute that is needed at the moment.