Daz

A wave was flowing along in the ocean, very happy, enjoying its time, watching the sun and moon and seeing other waves, some bigger some smaller. Then one day it was approaching land, it could see up ahead all the other waves crashing into rocks and disappearing back into the ocean. Panicking he cried out to the other waves, stop! can't you see what is happening? We're all going to get broken up on those rocks and disappear back into the ocean!! Are you joking? said the other waves. Look at yourself, you are part of the ocean, where does the ocean stop and you begin?

Daz told me that.


How can a tribute be paid to such an enormous being without lapsing into reminisces? Of the times he laughed, so often. The times he cried (well at least got a little misty eyed), the times he towered over those who tried to trick him, charging mzungu prices. Or the times he shared his boundless enthusiasm for the potential of humans to be as great as he was. No, he is still great, not was. He is still working for FWS, for Engo Sengiu, for Beck. Mostly I think of the times he taught, our labourers and me how to build. Ever patient, with such high standards but kind when I made a mistake, the pride I felt and he reinforced about the work I'd done. The honour and privilege of working with Daz on the building site is something that I'll never be able to express through words. Finishing the building (still under budget), and continuing to learn the trade - perhaps building my own house one day is something I think Daz would have liked to see me do. Actually he would just have wanted me to be happy.


If the outcome from this event is the heightened profile of FWS, more money for the project, and the chance for those he loved to look into their souls and evolve spiritually then he would be delighted. Even if none of those things happened, he still wouldn't be too bothered (maybe a couple of grumbles at the start but then he would be at peace knowing that this has happened for a reason, the moment is perfect, as it should be).


Easy to say what he would and wouldn't have thought. I suppose his honest and fearless sharing of his world view has made many of us feel like we know what he would say. I take comfort from that.


Perhaps I'll finish with a reminisce. A moment that filled me with more pride and joy than I'd known.


We'd just finished nailing the last iron sheets on the first half of the common building's roof - we'd worked over time in an effort to get the rubbish plywood covered before the rains caused irreparable damage to the roof. Lucky today was a warm sunny day and we finished the work quickly with a couple of our best workers staying back (for an extra 50 cents each). After packing up, we jumped into the ute with the labourers climbing into the back, Daz paused for a moment, looking at the roof and said "great job mate, you've done awesome". I tried to quash my pride, thanking him but pointing out the imperfections in the roof and how I think it'll be better on the other half. Then he said "you know what mate, you and me are gonna build this whole thing together". And with what Darren has left of himself in me, we will.