Letty,

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I type this up.  I am sitting on my couch crying as I type this trying to figure out what I can say to you to express how saddened I am by this news and mostly I am trying to figure out how I can offer some words of comfort to you.  There is nothing I or anyone can say that will ever make this okay.  To say I am sorry for your loss would seem impersonal and shallow, instead I would like to tell you how Josh impacted my life.  When we were in grade school together nobody wanted to be our friends and we friended each other. I remember helping him tie his shoes once because he needed help and some of the other kids made fun of that but I didn’t care because we were friends.  I often think back on the laughs we had and good memories I have of when we were together.  I remember Josh had the kindest heart, the warmest smile and he was always considerate of other people.  I almost feel I don’t have a right to grieve him because we didn’t stay in touch very much throughout our lives but my heart is broken because I know that a beautiful human being is no longer with us and he made the world a better place.  I can’t even begin to imagine the heartbreak you and Vanessa are going through right now and it breaks my heart even more for you guys.  I didn’t find out about his passing until today September 15thor I would have been there to pay my respects. 

It’s odd, I didn’t remember and still don’t remember the kids I went to school with back then and I don’t care to remember those people but Josh was special.  He is someone who I have carried in my heart over the years because he was such a beautiful person and had a major impact on my life even though we only knew each other for a brief moment.  I do regret not letting him know how much he impacted my life but I figure the next best thing is to let you know.  I will be praying for you, Vanessa and the rest of the family.  I would like to see you when I come home for Christmas this year if that is ok.  Email me: amnchaffin@gmail.com or find me on facebook please.

- James Chaffin