The reason this post is here rather than the misc forum will become apparent soon.
I learned on Thursday night that one of my good friends in magic died last summer, this has hit me quite hard particularly as it happened so long ago which is throwing the grieving process all out of wack
Kevin Reay has been one of my best friends in magic over the last 20 years or so. He was a genuinely wonderful guy with a great sense of humour and incredible talent. His skill at seconds bottoms greeks and middles was absolutely astounding. Despite his extreme skill he was a very humble chap and a very warm human being.
I was with him when he won the International Close up Competition and despite all of us telling him all weekend that he had undoubtably won it, he was not convinced. He was genuinely shocked when he was announced as the winner. The following year Kevin talked me into entering the competition (bad plan as it fell on my Birthday and I was already on my 7th or 8th pint when my name was called to perform). Despite the beer (and despite the bottle for my (production) opener and (vanish) closer being in several pieces broken in my case) I did ok (although I still hate watching the video of that fresh faced long haired kid). Kevin kept pushing me to enter again with a serious act but I never did. It is a fitting tribute that the competition has been renamed to the "Kevin Reay Trophy". Maybe one day I will try to win it for Kevin.
Over the last 20 years we would lose touch for a couple of years as our paths through life diverged but would always get in contact again as our paths would always converge again. Over the last couple of years between having children etc I have been away from Magic and out of touch with many of those old friends and out of the loop regarding the magical fraternity in general. Having now returned to Magic I started trying to look up my old mate Kevin (and several other friends). I started getting a little worried when there was no mention of him anywhere but figured that perhaps he was having a little hiatus as I have in the last few years.
On Thursday night I found news of his tragic death last summer, it hit me like a knife in the guts, and I spent most of yesterday getting my head around it and remembering the times we spent together and his wonderful magic. But more importantly simply remembering the man, my friend. I thought I was ok today but after browsing these foums for a few minutes I find that I can't think about magic without thinking about Kevin and I can't think about Kevin without feeling a terrible sense of loss, so I will be taking a few days away from these forums to come to terms with that loss.
Kevin,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful magic with me, but most of all thank you for simply being you. I will miss the drinks, the tricks and the discussions about technique and psychology, but more importantly I will miss seeing your smiling face and hearing your voice. I know you are in very good company where you are now, and no doubt are having those same conversations with Ascanio and the boys, but down here you will be sorely missed and long remembered with love.
Untill we meet again, God bless.
Your friend
Mark
