For a long time now, I’ve wished I had a user-friendly way to write mostly-text blog posts, given that most platforms of that type disappeared years ago (R.I.P., Blogspot). But something very tragic and unexpected happened yesterday, and it reminded me that there is no time like the present to say what you need to say.

The thing that happened was losing my good friend Tony Corten. He and his wife Kelley were one of those wonderful couples who loved each other dearly and were kind and supportive to so many friends. He is in one of my favorite photos of this group of friends from our wedding.

Group wedding photo

He, Kelley, and our other friend Dawn recently got matching tattoos that said “JOY as an act of resistance.” He was so joyful. Kind, funny, thoughtful, and generous. It’s hard to believe he’s gone. He was over for brunch just last Saturday (Kelley had to run the shop), and the box of tea and jar of jam he brought us are still sitting on my counter.

Tony was the Principal of Ocean Shore elementary school in Pacifica, after many years as a teacher and then Vice Principal, and was loved by his many former students and colleagues. Here is a nice article about him. Here is a fundraiser to support his family.

He will be missed by so many people. The world is a little bit worse without him in it.