Words cannot describe the immense loss I feel with Jim's passing. He was one of my dearest friends for 27 years, and like a brother to me, always there to help me when I needed him, whether it was for ideas for a college term paper in Hinduism class, my marriage or which sweater I should wear to a punk show we were going to. We shared so much over the years. In college at USD, we obsessed over music and debated the talents of various groups; later, we shared our love of travel through trips to India, Nepal and Syria, some of the most amazing moments of my life. I am grateful to be able to have happy memories of us playing backgammon on Indian trains, eating fried aqawi cheese in my favorite Damascene restaurant (Jim remarked, "They even put olive oil on cheese?!" with a pleased smile), and dissecting the latest romance of one of our friends. It's so unreal to use the past tense when speaking of Jim, for his presence is still so vibrant in my heart. My brother, you will be sorely missed, and the place you leave in my heart will never be filled. Your kind smile and warm heart will always fill my memories. I wish you peace.