Not only in dreams
Only in dreams
We see what it means
Reach out our hands
Hold on to hers
But when we wake
It’s all been erased
And so it seems
Only in dreams
–chorus of Weezer’s “Only in Dreams,” words and music by Rivers Cuomo
I’ve never listened to the rock band Weezer so I can’t say whether I have missed anything. But I can honestly say I was touched by the lines above when I went a-googling the lyrics of the band, which was the hands-down favorite of my late colleague Terry Nguyen.
My search was for a kind of link if you will back to Terry so I could somehow, hopefully fittingly, commemerate his tragic death one year ago June 1st and, above all, to illuminate the short yet shining life he led.
Then it struck me that the best way to recall Terry at this time would be to share with you some of his own words.
The passage below was penned as part of an essay Terry wrote in 2007 to win one of the Young Leaders Scholarships presented by the American Society of Business Publications Editors to promising young journalists. He won that prestigious honor but died shortly before it was to be bestowed.
Please pause for a moment and reflect on what this wonderful young man, just 27 at his passing, had to say when he recalled an incident that helped inspire him to be a journalist:
“I vividly remember at UConn [The University of Connecticut] working on a story that had moved me more than any other. A music student was performing a practice recital in front of her classmates when she collapsed onstage and died shortly thereafter. I learned that she played the trumpet with a prosthetic arm. I spoke with her friends, her teachers, university officials, and her father — who at times fought through tears to speak to me. For obvious reasons, it was an extremely sensitive topic, and I got no sleep the night my article was sent to the printer.
“I bring this particular story up because I learned very early in my career the value of journalism. What I wrote has an impact on how a deceased person will be remembered, and that article is most likely sitting in a scrapbook right now. This example illustrates why I believe journalism is truly a public service — one that‘s worth preserving with integrity at whatever cost.”
Terrence M. “Terry” Nguyen
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May 29th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Dave, as always, you find just the right things to say. Terry’s words were indeed spot-on, and all too prophetic as well, in his characterization of our craft. He’s still and will ever be sorely missed, for a talent and life like his cut so short so suddenly is always hard to take.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
David…Thanks for the very comforting and well choosen words…Terry always brought a warm level of cheer and kindness with him…We miss him very much.
I have that PIC of Terry on the cover of PROMO and I see it often…and remember what a terrific young man and friend he was…We pray he is peaceful and happy.
May 30th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Jerry,
Thanks for reminding me of Terry’s stint as a cover model.
That shot of him ” gaming away” really did capture his fun side!
I share your prayer for him.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Thanks for sharing Terry’s story with all of us who weren’t fortuante enough to know him. I have thought of him several times over the past year because of the loving words you shared with your readers. I hope his family members are all doing OK during this milestone time.
June 5th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Suzanne,
Thank you for your kind words. I remain very fortunate for having known Terry.
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Between the Lines: David Cullen offers his take on how actions taken by government agencies, industry suppliers and other trucking stakeholders impact truck fleet owners. Executive Editor of FleetOwner, Cullen has been covering trucking since 1981 and has been on the staff of FleetOwner since 1989. He does not claim to be an expert on trucking, but will admit to being a writer-- and hoping to be regarded a journalist.Advertisement
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