It’s been one week now since Vince passed away.
I have never met Vince.
And I have never talked to Vince, nor communicated with Vince in any way.
Despite of that I felt connected to Vince through our Global Voices Blog Portal where Vince and I shared one forum to speak out. My heart squeezes a bit when I open our webpage these days and still see him among our bloggers, smiling at the world.
Vince was born into the Temperance Movement and was member of our organization for more than 70 years. We followed his blogs from the launch of our new webpage, where he regularly contributed to its success. He shared his knowledge, opinions and observations at least once a month till his last days. He lived what he believed in and he was good at it!
We will keep up his blog where he managed to share a little piece of the amount of work he had done during his life. There was a lot more left to say and I believe we will find a way to share it, to pay forward the results of his heart-driven efforts.
Vince deserves it. And the world deserves to take part in it.
Here I would like to paste the words from Vince’s profile where he introduced his blog space to all of us:
”So it is about:
1. Enjoying retirement, but being productive during this third stage of life.
2. Being continually amazed at the many wonderful, often unexpected events that occur every day as well as some often very atriotious experiences as well.
3. The continual pursuit of a better life for all.”
If you read Vince’s entries, you will understand that those were not just empty words and that he did exactly what he had intended to do.
“Vince is at peace now.” wrote his wife in an e-mail to us and that stills my mind. I am glad that IOGT International was honored by Vince’s close presence, commitment and participation. As he is on our webpage smiling, he is with us, and will remain with us, even with those who have never met him, through his work. Now it’s up to us to carry it further.
Bye bye Vince! On behalf of all the members of IOGT International, thank you very much and rest in peace!
You are missed!
RIP Vince. I will miss his blogs. My prayers for God’s comfort to his family and friends.