We’ll miss you, Steve.

Barack Obama said “There may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.”

Well said, Mr. President.

I went to Apple.com last night and saw the tribute. I also watched as people on Twitter and Facebook put a lowercase “i” in front of their tweets and statuses. But the gravity of Steve’s passing didn’t really sink in until my commute to work this morning.

Like any other ordinary day, many train riders had music in their ears. Some pushed around news with their fingertips. With a few exceptions, everyone on my car held an iPod, iPhone or iPad in their hands.

But unlike any other day, people also held newspapers whose covers had various arrangements of Steve’s picture and the stark years 1955-2011.

With white ear buds in my ears, I sat there letting it all hit me and began to feel very mournful. It feels a little weird to be so sad for losing someone who I never shook hands with. But it’s not so weird. After all, I’ve been using his magical devices for years and I feel very connected.

Probably because Apple’s remarkable inventions are so much more than just retail products. They’re tools for life-enhancement.

People in my office were saying they want to bring some flowers to the Apple store. We all feel so hurt by this tremendous loss. You were truly a creative genius who left a remarkable footprint on the way we live.

We’ll miss you, Steve.