Quality of life is directly proportionate to the quality of relationships. This certainty has saturated my presence of mind, particularly after a dear friend, Bruce J. Nichols of Philadelphia, has fallen asleep in the Lord this past week. His unexpected passing corresponds with the passage: the Lord comes like a thief in the night.

Bruce was an honorable man of honesty, integrity and sincerity—hallmark attributes to which I am drawn and desire to emulate. Most recently, Bruce experienced several painful life events. While tending to illness in his family, this long journey was followed by the death of his dear friend, companion and partner Jim—who suffered a heart attack. After countless months of careful investment and planning, in March Bruce opened a Society Hill fusion restaurant The Headhouse, a trendy beer and wine bar on Lombard Street at Headhouse Square, with partner Madame Saito, Philadelphia’s Queen of Sushi. In little more than a month, the restaurant was closed, as ownership transferred to Saito. But Bruce continued on with new ideas and direction, including writing an opera. His September visit to my monastery was a welcomed respite during the overwhelming ups and downs of the manufacturing of our Easeamine Skin Collection. He easily empathized with my concerns, while Bruce’s compassionate nature mingled his heart and spirit with mine. Always prudent, practical and concerned for others, he shelved his personal heartaches in order to be present to mine.

In the midst of a part-business part-vacation, David, Bruce’s younger brother, contacted me regarding the extraordinary turn of events. A healthy man was diagnosed with leukemia and four weeks later, died from complications of the remedy. Sobered by Bruce’s death, I have been reminded of life’s essentials: love and service—a way of life Bruce captured.

Death can be wasted when we choose not to garner from the experience—truth or some commitment to better ourselves. Bruce’s courage, compassion, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit gives me continue strength to blindly trust in God, knowing He is extravagant and provides where He guides. Bruce, you have a piece of my heart, until we meet again!

So…I was concerned about what people think. Prayer, time and too much drama cured me of the stink eye of others. With years of “philosophizing and theorizing” came hopes and dreams I shared with few. It did not take long before I awoke to the critique of pragmatists. To the contrary, my mother and father habitually adjusted to the array of future occupations, which flooded my imagination as a child and adolescent. “You can accomplish anything of which you can dream”, my parents would offer. Though my mind did not settle on one distinct profession, my soul found God and settled for nothing less.

The short version: Hope was my mainstay and time afforded me the opportunity to recognize a few essential facts of life. First, people come into our lives for a reason, season or a lifetime and they are all gifts. Second, miracles happen more frequently than the imagination can grasp and God is more powerful than any situation, circumstance or life event that may appear to overwhelm us. Third, when we become blind, deaf, mute or paralyzed due to pain, turmoil or tragedy—peace and healing are inevitable once we allow ourselves to take the first step forward. Forth, life is given perspective with death. When death appears at our doorstep the only experience we can take with us is love; everything else is trite.