Kip

I gather my thoughts to try and write something coherent about Kip Corneli, a man I both respected and liked very much. This week, after coping for some time with cancer, Kip gently passed over to the other side.

I found Kip quite warm, ever inviting of connection. After my split with his daughter, who I remain friends with, I always thought it unusually generous that he and his wife, Helen, were open to staying connected with me. I think Kip reached out to invite me over for tea. Or perhaps I had called after reading one of his clear-headed, peace-promoting letters-to-the-editor. While I don't remember the details of how we rekindled the friendship, I do recall with pleasure the mutuality of it.

I enjoyed taking care of the Cornelis' place a couple times, while they traveled to attend to Helen's medical care. I liked being a part of their support network in that way. I must say that it was among my best performances as a house-sitter: helping to calm and care for Chablis, the high-strung poodle; successfully managing the sweet gardens Kip had cultivated; and leaving a welcome-home note, chocolate, and a ready fireplace upon their return. I bring this up because it shows how safe I felt to express my own nurturing warmth, and this reflects on the quality of connection fostered by Kip and Helen's kindness to me.

Kip was able to share with me an ongoing conversation ranging from politics and activism to his time in France. Kip had a unique conversational style, which was punctuated by an ongoing, and occasionally exasperating, search for the oft-elusive pun. This is endearing to remember. I recall someone telling me that puns are really the most peaceful of all humor, and thus fitting to associate with Kip, the longtime Veteran for Peace.

I recall now also that Kip came to a couple of my music gigs--how cool is that? Getting friends out to gigs at all is sometimes like pulling teeth, but there he would be insisting I keep him informed of when I would be playing. I remember, while playing fiddle in the marimba band, looking over and seeing him sitting there with a huge smile on his face. He was likely 20 years senior to anyone else there, yet seemed completely unselfconscious, finding immense joy in the music. To have one's music deeply enjoyed is truly a gift to a musician. So there I guess there was some more mutuality there.

In the last couple of years, I'd run into Kip at the occasional peace or Veterans For Peace rally. It was always a warm reconnection. He is one of the few older men that I have known, who have reached out to me in a warmhearted and mentoring way. And for this I am grateful. If there is one quality that came through Kip, it is that he was always, always ENCOURAGING. A mere mention of one's dreams, inspirations, and light would always receive Kip's unselfconscious expression of support.

I treasure the gift Kip gave me of his time, attention and kindness. And I hope, inspired my his gentle, relentless activism, I too can find my way to be a light for peace, mutuality and supportive mentorship in the world.

Gratitude, blessings, and peace to you, my friend Kip--