The first time I met Charles Harleigh Gordon, maybe ten years ago, I was trying to pull the mail out of the mailbox at our office here in Sausalito. It was crammed full of mail and I was trying not to damage any of the packages. I heard a loud hacking sound directly behind me and turned to see a man clearing his throat and spitting on the tile patio.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” I yelled. “Why would you spit on our patio?!”
Harleigh looked up at me with his wounded look—if you knew him you know exactly the look—and introduced himself. “I’m Harleigh, Willie’s son.”
“Ohhhhhhh,” I said. “Okay, I’m sorry. By all means, spit away!”
He thought that was funny but I was mortified. I had heard of this boy–this legendary bad boy—and here he was standing in front of me in a leather jacket. Wow! Harleigh in the flesh!
Harleigh died over the weekend. We’ve all been pretty hard hit. It’s especially hard to see Willie so heartbroken. I love how much Willie loved him. I don’t often get a chance to see the dewy side of Willie; I usually see the gruff, barking, tough-guy act that so often has me rushing to make sure the lights are turned out and the printers powered down so he doesn’t worry about the electric bill. (I am actually being serious; the man HATES to waste electricity!)
But now Harleigh’s gone. I have this picture up at the office of us at a party over the summer. It was a “party of gratitude,” a party to celebrate Isabel and Willie—their birthdays and their marriage. Harleigh showed up and stole the show. I remember he wore this long black duster coat, like an outlaw in a Western. That’s how I will always remember him. That last summer party and the light on the bridges and the whole tribe gathered, like a happy song.
Everyone roots for the underdog—for the bad boy. I always bet on the dark horse. Harleigh was a dark horse, and I have to say I was completely charmed by him.
Charles Harleigh Gordon
August 4, 1977 – March 16, 2013
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Special thanks to Chilean illustrator and painter Francisco J. Olean. See his 
RÉQUIEM
PARA UN SER QUERIDO
Silencio y paz.
Fue llevado al país de la vida. ¿Para que hacer preguntas? Su morada, desde ahora, es el Descanso, y su vestido, la Luz. Para siempre.
Silencio y paz. ¿Qué sabemos nosotros?
Dios mío, Señor de la Historia y dueño del ayer y del mañana, en tus manos están las llaves de la vida y la muerte. Sin preguntarnos, lo llevaste contigo a la Morada Santa, y nosotros cerramos nuestros ojos, bajamos la frente y simplemente te decimos: esta bien. Sea.
Silencio y paz.
La música fue sumergida en las aguas profundas, y todas las nostalgias gravitan sobre las llanuras infinitas.
Se acabó el combate. Ya no habrá para él lágrimas, ni llanto, ni sobresaltos. El sol brillará por siempre sobre su frente, y una paz intangible asegurará definitivamente sus fronteras.
Señor de la vida y dueño de nuestros destinos, en tus manos depositamos silenciosamente este ser entrañable que se nos fue.
Mientras aquí abajo entregamos a la tierra sus despojos transitorios, duerma su alma inmortal para siempre en la paz eterna, en tu seno insondable y amoroso, oh Padre de misericordia.
Silencio y paz.
una joven vida q se apaga , un Angel q renace para seguirnos inspirando desde la infinita luz celestial .
descanse en paz Harleig
JAMAS los hijos deben irse ante que los padres!!! …estos son momentos que lo que se diga… simplemente no sirve….. no existe la palabra justa , precisa que ayude a aminorar el desgarro de un padre ..de una familia de un amigo…. solo el tiempo hará que este dolor, esta pena esta pregunta sin respuesta sea una compañia una herida con una cicatriz tan débil que bastara rascar un poquito para que sangre nuevamente …Desde la distancia .. pero muy cerca en sentimientos y afectos .. mi abrazo lleno de contención cariño y fuerza!!
MIENTRAS RECORDEMOS A NUESTROS SERES AMADOS …. JAMAS MORIRÁN….. HAY AMORES QUE NI LA MUERTE , PUEDE LLEVARSE!
CARIÑOS FlorenciaVictoria
Sarah, Thanks for sharing this portrait of your experience of this beautiful young man.
I met Isabel the day I entered our local library and right there was her book Paula, it has been 18 years since then and I have read many of her books but never like that intimate portrait of a mother/daughter relationship, the sadness and joyful moments in each page.
I can only say that in moments like this, I am glad Willie has Isabel at his side, she knows deep in her bones what it takes to ride the waves of sorrow. I wish for each and everyone of you serenity and tender mercies.
Bright Blessings to your day, and a soft hug too. Griselda Tello
I am so sorry. Willie already lost a daughter and now this. Life is so unfair sometimes. My condolences to every one who loved him.
Thank you for sharing!
I’m so sorry for your loss… I don’t know you in person but I feel I know you tru your books I have almost all of your books and I read them over and over again. I know you guys will survive to this times just like you did before with Paula.. I still hope I’ll will meet you someday until that happens I will red your books and your blog. God bless you and your family!!!!!
This may come in late, but I am so sorry to hear about your loss..My deepest condolence to you and your family, Isabel….
Mi querida Isabel, se Cuanto se ama a un hijo, yo tengo uno que por segunda vez hoy en mi cumpleanos la paso al Lado de su cama, pero mo cambiaria ese lugar por nada del mundo, el es mi caballo negro,Fortaleza para ustedes, Dios los bendiga siempre.
Our sincre sympathy – from devoted readers and “friends” in Norway.
Very sad to hear about your loss good people only deserve good but for some reason is not always that way no parent should have to survive their kids but only God knows why they are called to his presence before the people he choose to take care of them here on earth.
No hace mucho los conoci por medio de Paula el cual estaba leyendo, isabel los describio a cada uno y de alguna manera es como si los conoci. La muerte es triste para el q pierde a su ser querido pero cada uno de nosotros tiene su tiempo hasta q llega el descanso eterno.
Sorry to say Harliegh’s days were numbered. He was using the needle since high school and sadly it caught up with him and he O.D. If his loving parents really cared so much which I am sure they did ,they should have sent him to rehab 15 years ago. Just another life wasted to drugs. If you can even call it a life. I think his life ended the minute he started sticking the needle in his veins. R.I.P.
I have known Harleigh for over a decade and no way was his wife wasted. he touched many lives and was always there for every single one of his friends. I knew both in and out of his addiction and he touched something in my sons. He took them to martial arts classes, accompanied me for their SARBS with the school and for counseling sessions. Harleigh was like a little brother and I will surely miss the hell out of that gentle soul. I am sorry for you loss, for everyones and I wish I could talk to him just one more time.
I am so sorry for your loss.I have known Harleigh for over a decade and in no way was his life wasted. He touched so many lives. He was like a little brother to me and was always there for me, my sons and for everyone he cared for.We were many. i knew him both in and out of his addiction. I will miss the hell out of this gentle and charming soul. Rest in Peace my friend.
those wonderful memories that will you will live forever! a hug from Chile!