Sorrow across generations

Dear Editor:I was brought to tears and sorrow as I read of the loss of Blake in the avalanche yesterday. For me it was a personal loss of someone very valuable. Blake and his girlfriend used to rent a room from me a few years ago. Although I am 43 years older than Blake, I found it very easy to relate with him. There is a sometimes sad thing that happens to a 68-year-old senior citizen like myself. We can find ourselves separated from a good portion of younger adults.When I would bump into Blake at the 7-Eleven, he always – I mean always – took the time to talk to me about myself and also what he was doing, even if he did not have the time. He looked me in the eye gently and showed he cared and was interested. He asked of things that he knew I cared about. He waved when we passed and always showed a smile on his very handsome face. His calm demeanor was contagious, and I always felt I passed on some wisdom when we parted because he brought out the best in those moments. He, and who he was naturally, was the catalyst that brought me to pause, and notice that I just had a good time and it always brightened my day.These are the years where I’ve lost some friends that I wish I had spent more time with. Blake was one of those very few who genuinely cared for us and took the time to show it. The only way to fill that space is for us to be more like him, and that for me is his legacy.Peter RizzutoAspen