So long Bert Smith

[brad gibson]

I posted this on FaceBook but wanted to share it with you here as well, on our quiet theater group channel.... 

It is with great sadness we report the passing of Bert Smith, Deacon Bert, the man at the FlatIron in his clerical collar. He loved his time with the theater group, and we loved him being with us. He fought his demons to a draw and then helped others fight theirs. In a world grown coarse and callous, Bert was a shiny bar of gold. He was, is, and will be badly missed.

Bert loved life despite having weathered some very rough patches, and when he was up for it and in the moment, he embraced it. I think we shared some of those moments with him. I remember long afternoons drinking beer with Bert and talking about one day we'll take a road trip in my car and see some of the world.  He always had a plan, and was looking forward to something. 

Anyway, if there's anyone still out there reading this... Mr. and Mrs. America and all ships at sea... stop a moment and think about Bert. 

Here's my favorite meditation on the uniqueness of each person, each experience. 

Everything is on the clock. Everything is irreplaceable. 

A Dream Lies Dead

A dream lies dead here. 

May you softly go 
Before this place, and turn away your eyes, 
Nor seek to know the look of that which dies 
Importuning Life for life. Walk not in woe, 
But, for a little, let your step be slow. 
And, of your mercy, be not sweetly wise 
With words of hope and Spring and tenderer skies. 
A dream lies dead; and this all mourners know: 

Whenever one drifted petal leaves the tree- 
Though white of bloom as it had been before 
And proudly waitful of fecundity- 
One little loveliness can be no more; 
And so must Beauty bow her imperfect head 
Because a dream has joined the wistful dead.

-Dorothy Parker

[Tom Hage]

Wow, very sorry to hear this news. Bert was a great man and so helpful and thoughtful. He will be missed for sure. 

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[sinea...@gmail.com]

When I heard today I have to say my heart dropped. I’ve a sadness about this but also a happiness for having known him.

Sent from my iPhone

[Todd Layton]

Bert was a good man. And he will be missed by many. 


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

[sinea...@gmail.com]

I feel like we need to get together to remember him, to celebrate him and all he accomplished. He did more good for the broken from a broken place than any human I ever met. His message was find your happy. His message was also “lift that table up the damn stairs!” at BPA moments before dress rehearsal haha! 

[Andrea Barbian]

That would be really nice Sinead!

RIP sweet Bert!  You were a precious man!

 

Andrea Barbian Buntin
Senior Paralegal
US Customer and Commercial Leadership
One Coca-Cola Plaza NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30313

404-676-5539
abar...@coca-cola.com

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[ELIZABETH FRASIER]

I'm so grateful I got to meet and know Bert for a small slice of time. Brad--thank you for bringing him to the Guerilla theatre group--and for letting us know of his passing. 

Let's get together!