A close friend of mine in college named Calvin Birdbear.
Calvin was one of the most passionate people I have ever met and his influence was so great that I still think of him weekly years later. He was intense about everything in life – school, love, friendships and singing.
He was brilliant and also a pain in the ass. He would call me at all hours of the night to hear a new song or show up at my job with some crazy idea trying to get me to leave early. Calvin never quite fit in anywhere and I loved him for that – he was never dressed quite right, never said the “right” thing at the right time, wasn’t politically correct about his heritage or mine and so forth. But what he did have was an unshakeable belief in himself and a willingness to live his dream. He didn’t only believe in himself, he believed in the people he cared about. He just expected you to succeed to such a degree that you actually ended up believing him. He also was the worst driver I have ever met, constantly running, bumping or backing into things and it was always “exhilarating” getting in the truck to drive home after loading his equipment.
Within a month of realizing his dream and signing with a record label he was killed in a car accident driving home at night. Being his friend and watching him taught me that you don’t have to perfect (or even anywhere close) to be successful in life, that time is short, to treat the people I love with gratitude and that you can’t touch your dreams without trying. And I mean really trying.
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