Today I received a message from my sister; "...sorry to hear about your friend, life is cruel."

I'm a guy who reads books, watches YouTube and goes to humanist, athiest and secular meetings. I confront street preachers and cold callers. I tell the world that I don't react well to lies. Hitchens, Dawkins, Harris, Dennett, Dilahunty and many others have equipped me.

My selfish grief for a friend I never met is miniscule compared to that for a friend and colleague, compared to a brother, compared to that of a wife or daughter, grandchild....

Hitch was one great general in the growing army of peace and reason. Onward and upward is more certain thanks to the way he helped us equip ourselves.

A great man is no more, but the world's a better place for the time he spent in it.