Losing a parent causes emptiness and sorrow, losing a giant creates a huge collective void in our souls. I did not know the man but I knew the legend. His art graced every home of my extended family and almost every family in the near east and beyond.

He received a high honour from his country, but his small nation, the cradle of human life, lost the chance to award him all honours and distinctions before he lost his.

Just like greats before him people might refer to him as a once in a century man, but most will agree that he is a once in a millennium phenomenon.

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March 4, 2013