For Ian

Reprinted here is a note I wrote on Facebook, about my friend Ian Keuster. This is for all those who wish to read it and can't get onto my facebook page because I can't figure out the damn security settings.....

Ian and I had an english class together in high school. To pass the boredom, we started drawing our own little comic strip. It was silly and was meant to just pass the time, but it became sort of a game with us, where one of us would draw one or two panes of the comic, taking the story wherever we would, and then handing it to the other for him to continue. The comic still makes me laugh and I may even still have it somewhere.
That's how I met Ian: in a boring English class, and I probably wouldn't have survived that class without his friendship and humor.
I didn't keep in touch with him after High School...I didn't really keep in touch with anybody, but I have never forgotten how friendly, unassuming, and how very funny he was. Just the simple act of him being my friend and fellow conspirator in a very poorly drawn, but rather twisted comic strip meant only to pass the time in a boring class, left me with a fond memory of that time in my life, when there didn't seem to be much to be fond of, let alone anything worth leaving a lasting impression.
My condolences and prayers go out to all of his friends and to the Keuster family.
I'll see you in awhile, buddy, and I hope you'll have a joke - or a poorly drawn comic - waiting for me.
--Patrick