For Jay

Dear Jay,

I was so sad when I heard that you passed. The only relief I got was in knowing that you can finally breathe easy in heaven. You were easily one of the most likable people I have ever met. Seems like you were able to form a friendship with anyone you encountered, which is evident by the story you told me about how you used to work with a Vietnamese lady and she taught you how to count to ten in Vietnamese. It was a night shift and I told you I'd check on my other patients so that you'd have time to refresh your memory and recite the numbers you learned. When I came back with your insulin and antibiotics, you were able to count from one to ten in the best Vietnamese I had ever heard any Italian recite! It made me so excited because you took the effort to get to know someone like me, and my culture. I will always remember your sleek, white guitar, your espresso machine, and how much you hated that Church closed down near my apartment because you thought it was one of the coolest places for live music. I regret not being able to attend your fundraiser and not visiting you in time on 14AB and the MICU. I'm happy you're in the best hands you could possibly be in, and that you handled the inevitably of death with such strength and humor that only you could pull off. You've touched the hearts of so many lucky people in your short life. You'll never struggle for another breath in heaven. Have fun up there, buddy, :).
​
​- Cindy