2024.07.19
I'm still grappling with the shock of learning about Danny's passing, which I only discovered a couple of days ago, almost an entire year later. What's been haunting me is that just before I found out, I was trying to recall the name of a musical he introduced me to ~17 years ago. It was the "Golden Eighties," and I was thrilled to remember it - only to have my excitement quickly give way to sadness and grief when I soon realized he was no longer with us. As I delved deeper into memories of our friendship, I felt a mix of emotions: gratitude for the time we shared, regret for not staying in touch more closely, and sorrow for the fact that I didn't get to say goodbye or express my appreciation for his pressence in my life. Our friendship was a significant part of my journey, and I'm grateful for the many ways he influenced me.
Danny had a profound impact on my life, teaching me valuable lessons about living in the moment, embracing love and passion, and being vulnerable. He had an incredible ability to calm my anxieties and encouraged me to pursue a life filled with happiness and passion. I'll always cherish the memories we created together, from our first meeting at 14 to our later conversations about life, art, music (especially Erasure!), Hello Kitty, and everything in betweeen. One of our last conversations was after a close friend of mine passed away in 2019. Danny reached out to me, sharing fond memories of my friend Alex, which meant the world to me. And when we spoke again in 2021, after I was going through a challenging time, he reminded me of my unique value and, once again, encouraged me to pursue my purpose and passions. His words stuck with me, and it's a lesson I'll carry with me forever: to tell those I care about exactly how much they mean to me and to never let them forget their impact.
As I reflect on Danny's life and legacy, I'm reminded of his kindness, generosity, and creative spirit. He was a true Libra - a beautiful, daring, but fragile soul who expressed himself in unique and generous ways. Although it's hard to accept his passing, I take comfort in knowing that his memory will live on through the countless lives he touched, including mine.
Please accept my deepest condolences Gerardo, Jan, and Kent.
Alexis Anderle
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