Someone I love a lot and consider a partner in all the ways has been going through a trialing time in his life. In addition to the usual strain of higher education, he has had to endure the sudden death of a close friend. This friend tragically died on a climbing trip, doing the main thing that makes both of us feel free and full. I never really knew M personally. Until he died I was unaware of how short the strands of separation were between us, and how these strings would pull on me and the ones I love in his absence.