Written by Gregory's dear college friend and more (and mine for the last 30+ years.) A tribute to me and remembrance for Gregory. Thank you John!

Heroes’ journeys are to be sung, right? This is as close as I can come. Michael has been my college roommate’s partner for 37 years. That isn’t what makes him heroic, although God knows 37 years with someone is an accomplishment worth applauding. But for 27 of those years Michael had little need for heroism, he was just plain lucky. He’d found a partner he adored, and that partner – Gregory – had one of the greatest minds I have ever encountered. But then, ten years ago Gregory was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s has eaten Gregory’s mind and spit out a shell. Maureen and the kids and I had a Skype call with the two of them last week that was devastating. But not as devastating as life has been for Michael, who this week had to finally put Greg into a facility from which he presumably will never emerge. He can’t talk, not really. He can’t deal with too many different kinds of foods on his plate. There is in fact very little he can do for himself, and Michael has seen his role change from lover to companion to caregiver – and now, to visitor. Theirs was a beautiful life together, and what Michael has sacrificed to keep Gregory safe and comfortable through this decline is unimaginable. It is both a beautiful and important thing that Greg and Michael were able – finally – to marry before Greg’s mind left the building. Really, no one has ever been loved better than Michael loves Gregory. And what, really, is more worthy of song than that kind of love?