His is a story best told by him. Every day was an adventure and something to talk about. Leo was his Sun Sign, and Cancer was his Moon Sign. He would tell you if anything said felt like a personal offense and would be quite vocal about it.

Maurice had so many stories...of Epworth, his family, Chicago, his jobs, Nebraska, Omaha, his dogs, his long-time friend of 23 years, Ian (myself). He appears as two characters in a fictionalized memoir titled Parallel Opposites by Rian Meir. One, who Laura is first meeting and has hope in, and the other, her recent ex, who overwhelmed her.

Maurice is a friend who I stood by for a long time, through good times and bad, who was enthusiastic about progress but seemed thwarted by the efforts of people who he would randomly meet.

He recently adopted a pitbull terrier puppy he named Iris, who he had a lot of heart for, but ultimately, she would be left to the Humane Society after biting a child who teased her with Maurice no longer around. He was unable to travel to Chicago with Iris, so she was left with someone else for a short time. We never saw her up for adoption.

His passing came at a time he could've lived much longer without the circumstances that led to it. It's hard to believe we can't just pick up the phone and talk to him or expect him to call us. He would've been 46 this year. The media has been a distraction that seems to sever ties with people in a situation like this. Nothing inspires the feelings of grief I expected from such a situation, though it hit hard at first. He will be present in my life going forward, and I believe his family feels the same.

I will never feel as committed to someone as I was with Maurice, personally. Half my life, he has been my only friend and a real motivation to get through the tough times.