Death of an Influencer

I cried a lot today.  I laughed a lot today.  I was quiet a lot today.  Last Saturday David Mange's physical body was defeated by a brain tumor. Last Saturday my world became a little more harsh and a touch colder. Why would this man's death affect me?  How can I even describe who this man was to me?  At work I said, "I used to work with him." Which is true but not the full picture.  "I knew him when I was a student at Michigan State."  Again true but not necessarily note worthy. I never had long conversations with him.  I never met regularly with him. Instead I had a couple of unplanned (by me) conversations... fourteen years ago.  But I sat under his teaching.  I followed his leading. He taught me about being white in America.  He taught me to reach beyond myself, to cross cultures. He taught me to sing black gospel songs. He influenced me at a foundational level.  Now he's gone.  But as a friend so wisely said at his memorial service today... his influence will continue through us.