Written by: Randy Stein
James,
Sometimes, after someone is gone, you wish you’d appreciated them more. But with you James, I realize I appreciated every second I had with you. Maybe because you were so funny. Or maybe because of those few times when – despite it being really hard for you – you showed me your concerned/proud/soft side. Or just maybe it was because you were such a good friend. And spending time with you was always a good time. At your place on Georgia, at the beach, just spending countless hours talking about nothing at the office – being with you was always where I wanted to be. And when I was hanging out with you, I never wanted to be anywhere else. James, you were such a bright light in my life. And now, every time I come across a strange news article, or photo, or whatever, my first instinct is to call you and tell you about it – or e-mail it to you…. I hope that instinct never fades. I think about you almost every day, and that thought always makes me smile. Thank you for everything, James. I miss you.
Randy
P.S. Lucas is collecting Hockey Cards now. And when I ask him – which I do frequently – who gave him his first hockey cards, he always answers “Uncle James”.