He was everyone's Best Friend in the Whole World. 

For more than 30 years, loyal listeners loved to start their mornings with Lin Brehmer as he shared stories, news, joy and grief, all the things of life, through the radio waves on WXRT. It's 93.1 on my dial, and that dial has basically stayed put since the early 90s. 

His voice was often the first human I heard in the morning for years, as the early riser in our house. He accompanied me to work, and along with the fabulous Mary Dixon, I felt like I had friends along for the ride.

More often than not, Lin knew what song I needed to hear before I did. Whether it was a new band to love, or a Springsteen song to get me out of a funk, his playlist was always right on.

His "Lin's Bin" was epic.  I would laugh. I would cry. I would even find myself getting emotional over an anecdote about the Cubs. 

I would see Lin on a regular basis, as I photographed annual events for the Les Turner ALS Foundation, one of the many charities Lin supported by showing up and emceeing. I will be at their gala in two weeks. It won't be the same.

When I would approach him to talk, Lin was always the most gracious person to me. I'd ask him stuff about the station and music. He's answer me with that voice - same as on the radio - familiar and comforting - and without a doubt he'd make me laugh. I was talking to a friend.

Lin announced this summer he was talking a leave of absence from XRT for treatment for prostate cancer. He was in his 60s. I thought about my dad, who had prostate cancer in his 50s, and how we found out about dad's cancer on a melancholy Father's Day in the 90s. But dad was treated, recovered and went on to live to almost 84. 

When I heard about Lin's diagnosis, I  wasn't alarmed. He was not old, prostate cancer was usually slow moving and treatable. I sent social media messages wishing him a speedy recovery, because I knew everyone needed him in the world, and on the air, just like I did.

He did come back on the air after a couple months, and I breathed a sigh of relief. After some weeks, he was off the air again, and then the incredibly sad news of his passing came, just a couple Sundays ago. It was devastating as Rick and I heard Terri Hemmert deliver the news. Unexpected and tremendously heartbreaking.

One of the fellow XRT djs quoted Lin in recent weeks. "I didn't think this was the way it would end."

None of us did. He lived a large life, was loved beyond words by everyone who knew him - on air and off. 

I am grateful that I lived at a time when I could be touched by the poetry, humor, and music that was Lin Brehmer.

And I treasure this photograph, and realize the power that one photo can hold, encapsulating the joy that Lin regularly brought into my world. While I won't physically hear that voice anymore, the power of this photograph can conjure it up immediately, and for that I am so grateful.

Thank you Lin, for bringing so much happiness into the lives of so many. You are gone too soon. 

I'm sure going to miss this guy.