Dear Andy,
I pray that you’re resting in paradise.
You were a family man who loved well.
You were kind and hopeful.
You were smart, honest, and powerful.
You believed the best in people, in opportunities, and in life.
My dad saw you as a wonderful colleague and friend.
I valued your mentorship, your contagious confidence, and your positive attitude.
I loved your ambition, and how big you encouraged me to dream.
You are dearly missed, Andy.
Thank you for your time. Thank you for the coffee.
Thank you for your wonderful smile, your constructive criticism, and your creative ideas to propel me into a career that I would love.
It hurts to know you’re gone.
It seems much too soon.
But thank you, Andy…
For reminding me, especially now, that life is precious.
For reminding me that individuals can impact your life in just a few short hours.
For reminding me that tomorrow is unpromised, and today is a gift.
Thank you, Andy…
For being an inspiration in life and in death.
For loving others well.
For being in my life, even in the small way that you were.
Thank you, Andy…
For your advice.
For your radiant joy.
For being someone I get to miss.
I get to leave to travel the world in just a few short hours.
Your memory will travel to all the nations I visit with me…
And I promise to love people a little bit more, hug people a little bit harder, and buy some strangers coffee simply to be kind because I met you and you made (and continue to make) the world a better place.
I pray that you’re resting in paradise,
dear Andy.
