Sending caring thoughts to all who knew and loved Bryan, especially his children.  I never had the opportunity to meet him, but I feel so very grateful that he fathered one of my beloved friends, Sage.  And in honor of their shared love of poetry, I would like to offer this poem by Danusha Laméris.

Let rain be rain,by Danusha Laméris

Let rain be rain.

Let wind be wind.

Let the small stone

be the small stone.

May the bird

rest on its branch,the beetle in its burrow.

May the pine tree

lay down its needles.

The rockrose, its petals.

It's early. Or it's late.

The answers

to our questions

lie hiddenin acorn, oyster, the seagull'sspeckled egg.

We've come this far, already.

Why not let breath

be breath. Salt be salt.

How faithful the tide

that has carried us—

that carries us now—

out to sea

and back.

Bryan and I lived across the street from each other on Pennington Street in Elizabeth. Our group was Bryan, Charlie Jacknow, Arnie Schoenberg  and me. 

We were roommates in Hegeman Hall at Rutgers in New Brunswick.  Our mothers picked out matching bedding. 

Bryan was about the most easy going and friendly guy I ever knew. And one of the physically strongest . We’d lift weights together in his driveway. I always left depressed. 

I read his obituary and am glad he had a good life . He deserved one.

Oh, Sage... My whole body sank reading this.  Then tears.  I feel so sad...

We go way back.  You and David were iddy-biddy when we first met and Dad was our attorney.  More than that, he was THE friend who shared my interest in spirituality, all things metaphysical.  Reflecting now, it was more of an obsession...  the books we read... the endless conversations and wonderings...  We were a couple of "weirdos" in a traditional, suburban world.  Comrades in seeking.  He was divine !

I was just remembering him a couple of days ago as I told Stephen, "If not for Bryan Cohen, I would've never known the works of Gay Hendricks.  Bryan's the one that gave me the book 'The Corporate Mystic.'"  I'm wondering now - and he would appreciate this - if I was picking up his passing energy. 

We lost touch after we moved to Boston, but I was always happy to see his occasional FB post, and reply.  The heart of him was so complex !  So loving !  Soft.  These pictures capture that.  He was a big, handsome teddy bear that I adored.  And now he's everywhere.  

I KNOW we shall meet again.

In the meantime, I'm beaming your whole family comfort and support as you navigate this big loss.💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 AND I'm sending love to my friend.  He doesn't have to wonder anymore.

Dear Sage and Family,

We were so sad to hear about your dad’s passing. Sending heartfelt  sympathies to all of you. This is Kim Sandler, married to Ron Cohen (son of Ann and Gary Cohen of Scotch Plains). We live in Florida. 

May your dad’s memory be for a blessing.

💖Kim