On the passing of Stephen Lewis, I want to tell a Stephen Lewis story.

I am fortunate to have met Stephen Lewis many times. One of these times was when I lived in Calgary and attended an event at which Stephen Lewis was speaking. There was a little meet-and-greet beforehand and there I was watching people meeting and greeting this wonderful man. I couldn’t help but notice people seemed to demand so much of his time and energy. He looked tired.

A day or two before, I had been interviewing Dr. Helen Caldicott, the Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear crusader. She demanded to know if I had read Naomi Klein (Stephen Lewis’s daughter-in-law) and I assured her I had. Dr. Caldicott went on to sing Naomi Klein’s praises and explain to me why Naomi Klein was right about everything and a bright light for all of us to follow. We bonded over our mutual admiration.

When my opportunity to talk with Stephen Lewis came, I did not want to be a drain on his energy, so I told him about this conversation and he instantly lit up to echo the praise of his daughter-in-law. From there, he went on to tell me, in the most animated fashion and with the most incredible vocabulary, about the rest of the family. Whatever other wonderful things Stephen Lewis was, he was, first and foremost, a family man.

I was so glad to be able to give him something, this man who had given so much to so many. He went on stage looking sprightly.

Now, years later, I’m a member of one of the many grandmother groups that are part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s work. We raise money for our sisters in Africa who are trying to keep their families and communities together throughout the HIV/AIDS crisis and more. I only joined this group about three years ago, but I am so glad to be part of this important work and part of Stephen Lewis’s legacy.

If you would like to honour him, consider making a donation to the foundation. They do great work.

May Stephen Lewis rest in peace and power. May his memory be a blessing to his family and all of those who love him. May his deeds inspire all of us to be better.