Remembering Charlie

Today is Charlie O'Brien's birthday. Shel Israel reminded me in a beautiful tribute  posted yesterday. Charlie was my editor at the Boston Herald who taught me more about writing and reporting than any one else. He was a classic Irish newspaper editor, a truly wonderful human, and one of the first people among my circle of friends to get cancer. I remember hearing that he had it, and then seeing him and realizing that despite  the physical changes, it really doesn't change who you are. It makes you MORE of who you are, as you figure out what is important and what isn't. Charlie faced his disease with humor, strength and a sense of calm and peace that was amazing. My best memories of him are swimming in Lake Winnepesauki  on a  gorgeous summer morning.  His example had a lot to do with how I faced my own diagnosis. So thank you Charlie. I still miss you.