And so it goes …

Kurt Vonnegut dies at 84.

His writing meant so much to me.

My previous post on him illustrates his vision and (to me) his profundity.

To me he was a true humanist. With humor and cynicism his books enlighten and console me.

I think this from the obit in the NY Times says it well:

To Mr. Vonnegut, the only possible redemption for the madness and apparent meaninglessness of existence was human kindness.

Out of reflex I'd wish to say "thank you" to Kurt, but I know he'd understand that he can't hear me anymore.

UPDATE: From Pharyngula, quoting a speech by Vonnegut:

I am, incidentally, Honorary President of the American Humanist Association, having succeeded the late, great science fiction writer Isaac Asimov in that totally functionless capacity. We had a memorial service for Isaac a few years back, and I spoke and said at one point, "Isaac is up in heaven now." It was the funniest thing I could have said to an audience of humanists. I rolled them in the aisles. It was several minutes before order could be restored. And if I should ever die, God forbid, I hope you will say, "Kurt is up in heaven now." That's my favorite joke.

I will comply. Kurt is up in heaven now.