Another colleague of mine had passed away. I didn’t realize that I hadn’t talk to him for weeks. Ever since we launched the new design, I basically lock myself in my office and focus on migrating the all contents to the new design. The news stopped me cold. The last time we were on the phone Fred asked me to help him set up some Macs for some faculty members. I agreed.

Fred was an IT for the School of Business, but he is a PC guy. Although I am not an expert, Fred was my go-to guy regarding to Mac. In return, Fred always responded to my requests as quickly as he could. In the School of Business, Fred was the PC and I am the Mac. On a more personally level, Fred was a jazz aficionado and like me Fred was also a Miles’s fan. I just found out that from another colleague that Fred had gone “In a Silent Way” a few weeks ago. Rest in peace, my man.

In just six months I had lost three people I had the pleasure working with. Witnessing the people around you just leave makes me think about life and death. It could just happen to anyone. It’s a sad reality, but it teaches me to not to worry too much about death. When it is time for me to go. I’ll go. While I am still here I want to make the best of it for the people around me, especially my lil Duke. He gives me the reason to live.

Although we only knew each other for a short period of time, you left a deep impression in me the very first time we met. You mesmerized me not only with your fantastic designs, but also your deep thoughts behind them. You drawn me in with your soft-spoken words, knowledge of the web and intelligent views on design.

Your purpose to become a designer is something I will never forget: “Life is depressing so I try to make things beautiful.” Your work speaks for itself. For me personally, what inspires me the most was your ability to strike the balance between simplicity and attention to details. I always refer back to your work when I need some design solutions.

Work aside, you were a very private, humble individual. I had learned a great deal from you: only talk when you have something to contribute. Thank you for your wonderful recommendation on LinkedIn. Come to think about it, I have a feeling it was your way of saying goodbye without letting me know what you were going through. I thank you whole-heartedly and may your soul rest in peace. You’re in a better place now and I am sure you’ll make things even more beautiful up there.

One of the coolest colleagues at GW School of Business had left us early this morning. Larry Layne worked as a specialist in the Office of Special Events, but he was the man to go to for anything around the school.

For me personally, Mr. Layne was the one who took great care of me while I am at work. I locked myself out coming to work several times, he was always there to let me in. At the school’s functions, he hooked me up with drinks (Hennessy and coke or cranberry and vodka) that only him could ordered from the bartender. When there was food leftover from any event, he would holler at me to grab some or he would just save me a plate. After a fancy or formal event, he would put away a centerpiece for me to give to my wife.

Best of all, Mr. Layne was always bringing a positive vibe around us. Whenever I felt stressed out, he was the man to go to. His energy and sense of humor were always appreciated. Unfortunately, cancer had taken a great man away from us. I will miss Mr. Layne enormously.

I miss you, hommie. Looking at your little brother’s engagement photos makes me realized that almost a decade has passed. I still remember it like yesterday when we found every possible reason to cut school. We cut school because we needed the sunlight to tint your little red-hot ride. We cut school to play Tien Len at your crib. We cut school just because school’s breakfast sucked, and then we raced each other all the way to Philly to have Dim Sum. But hey, we made it through high school, didn’t we?

You were the craziest, man. That chick was jealous because I spent more time with you and the crew. Remember the Oriental Club’s trip to Montreal? We drank, gambled, bugged out at the arcades, and hit the clubs. Even though we couldn’t keep our eyes open the next day, our breakfast served by French-spoken waitresses in tight shorts and bras sure woke us all up. Yet the best part was when you made that stuck-up Julia unstuck while entertained us with your wack-ass muses during all those long rides.

The good old memories I will never forget, my brother. Shit done changed down here, dawg. Without you holding everyone together, we all grew apart. Luan moved to Cali like he had always wanted and married with three kids. The last time I talked to Tung, which was about five years ago, he was polishing nails and dropped out of Penn State. See what happen when you weren’t around to watch him? He kept his head in them boobs instead of them books. With your hustling skills and his brain, you guys would have pulled it through. It’s a damn shame because he was the smartest out of all of us. We copied his homework so much that we both failed on every Calculus exam.

I wish I could turn back the hand of time, and I wish that accident never happened. After you had drowned, I was sinking too, and it was your mom who pulled me back up. She told me that you would be happy if I succeed in school. I’ve done my best not to let you down, so rest in joy, my brother.

(A late eulogy)