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Christopher Hitchens died this morning.  The ocean of literary mastery and logical poetry feels almost dried up.

The moment I saw the news, I thought about the moment when I shook his hand, and shared a few words with him. It was 2009, and I was still living in Baltimore.  He was in the middle of a debate/book tour with Douglas Wilson, and they made a stop in Georgetown.  Not very far from Hitch’s home in DC.  I watched these two men debate from four feet away.  It was a great experience.  Not to mention they were doling out free Guinness all night.

After the debate, the two gentlemen hung out and drank for a few hours.  I walked up to Hitchens, shook his hand with my right, and clasped my Guinness with my left.  He was nursing a scotch, as usual.  I asked him about a comment that his opponent made during the debate.  The exchange went something like this:

Me:  ”What do you think about Wilson saying that he fundamentally believes the bible is the word of god?”

Hitch:  ”I was thrilled to have him come out and actually say it, instead of hiding behind some kind of moderatism.”

Me:  ”Don’t you find it terrifying?”

Hitch:  ”Not at all, I got him to come out and say it…  Well, what do you mean?”

Me:  ”Imagine all religious people being 100% convinced, as he is.  That’s terrifying.”

Hitch:  ”Well yes, I suppose you’re right.  …  Each time I do these debates, there’s always at least one person who I can tell is very much absorbed in it.  Tonight it was you.”

After this short exchange, I was ready to leave.  Primarily out of a fear of embarrassing myself, had I given myself the chance to babble on and say something stupid.  I shook his hand again, asked for his signature in the book that they were promoting, and headed back home.

Hitchens was a conversational tactician, and masterful author, and a strong minded person.  I’ve learned a lot from his writings and debates, and I am honored to have met and spoke with him.

Here’s to Hitch.