I was checking out Facebook posts today around lunchtime, and found a post reporting the passing of Phil Washburn. I was in disbelief and commented, "WHAT?! What happened to him?"
Later, from what I heard, he had severe burns 5 weeks ago, and had been at the burn unit. He did not want to publicize his injury, so that his hospitalization was kept among close friends. Then after a short release, he collapsed from ruptured aortic aneurysm. He passed away last night.
To me, the news came so sudden. I was unprepared and shocked.
I befriended with him through Argentine Tango. He was an Argentine Tango dancer. I heard his name from his friend before I actually met him, though. "He (Phil) survived a road-rage stabbing incident ", that was the first time I heard about him. Right. Someone slashed and stabbed him in a road rage fight, and with critical injury he drove to nearby hospital to save himself. He was a survivor.
Once we met, he turned out to be the nicest guy around with great smile.
He was an active member of our small community of Argentine Tango in Oklahoma. One time we drove to Tulsa together to attend a milonga. He told me about his earlier jobs with humor. Another time he hosted a practica in his house in historic district in downtown Oklahoma City.
His Tango was pretty good. Probably he was among the most advanced you can find in the state of Oklahoma. If I apply my ridiculously high standard of watching dance, I wouldn't say he was the most skillful dancer. But I can say he was certainly enjoying every bit of his dance. I saw him practicing many new moves (like Volcada, Carpa, Sacadas and the variations), showing his willingness to make progress. Somehow his fun was quite visible, and that made me smile. You know, skills are nothing without emotion and passion. He had radiant fun in his dance. And it is rare.
He was a very active guy physically. He was even doing triathlon, for god's sake. Last time we talked, he was talking about some workout plans on the next morning. I said, "Yeah, it will make you stronger. ......if it doesn't kill you", and we both laughed. It is hard to believe such an active guy is just, gone.
To some extent, I am still in disbelief, and have not accepted his passing. Or, the news of passing. What I heard was just a piece of information, and I have not even seen him lying dead or anything. That even made me wonder, why such a little piece of information had such an impact on me? I was not physically hurt or anything, and nothing in my immediate world had changed. Some lines on my computer screen do that? ......We are under control of our perceptions, after all.
It may take some time for me to process the news. I will take my time on this side. You move on.
Rest in peace, Phil. I will miss you.
