In Memoriam: Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015

A couple days ago a friend posted a news article saying actor Leonard Nimoy had been admitted to the hospital for chest pains.  I remember thinking, “At 83, he won’t be with us too much longer.”

Sure enough last night I got the news Nimoy had passed away due to heart complications when the first R.I.P. post appeared on Facebook.  Suddenly a flood of tribute posts began appearing on my news feed.  I must say since 2007 when I first joined Facebook I have never seen so many tributes for a celebrity who had died than for Leonard Nimoy.

And here is the kicker…

The tributes and accolades were coming from all sides of the political and religious spectrum. Right-wing, Left-wing, Republican, Democrat, Christian, Jewish, and Atheist; in regular life these passionate voices may differ on whether President Obama is Savior or Satan, but upon hearing of Nimoy’s death they all paused for moment, laid down their swords and paid honor to a man who had been so much part of their life.

For me, I can’t remember a time of my life that Leonard Nimoy and Mr. Spock were not part of.  Star Trek was what we watched as a family growing up.  Leonard Nimoy’s Mr. Spock was always with me and taught a boyhood Steve Hackman:

* an understanding of friendship and the responsibilities involved when someone calls you “friend”

* a love of science! Spock showed us the wonder of exploring the universe; not with a gun, but with a tricorder! 

* the confidence that we didn’t have to be afraid of the dark.  Sure, there was probably an acid spewing Horta there; but it really just wanted to be our friend.

* the understanding that an attitude of “non-violence” could be cool

* the desire to see others “Live Long and Prosper”

Leonard Nimoy was a Renaissance man in real life and was known for, among other talents, his poetry. The last words he wrote were on the love he has learned and his desire to share it:

You and I have Learned

You and I have learned

The song of love

and we sing it well

The song is ageless

Passed on

Heart to heart

By those

Who have Seen

What We See

And Known

What we know

And lovers who have

Sung before

Our love is ours

To have

and

To share

The miracle is this

The more we share…

The more

We have

Thank you Leonard Nimoy.  Enter your rest and I’ll see you when we wake!

Peace,

Steve