| January
4, 2000
Dear
Mr. & Mrs. Gelman,
I am
writing this letter to you as someone who did not know Jascha personally
but knew of him through my sister, Susan. I have heard many
"Jascha" stories over the past several years - funny things he
said and did - he always made Susan laugh like no other person could.
She even played some of the funny messages he left on her answering
machine. I have heard about Jascha since Susan was young - after all,
they were in Kindergarten together.
I will
never forget the night Jascha died. I was working and my husband paged
me. I called him back and he said that he had some bad news - Susan's
good friend Joshua had died in a car accident. "Joshua who?" I
asked. Then I thought, "Oh God, please let it not be Jascha".
I called Susan on her cell phone - she confirmed the worst - Jascha had
died. Just two days before, I called Susan and she had to cut the
conversation short because she was going to have pizza with Jascha at
his new place. I couldn't sleep that night and the next morning I woke
up at 6 a.m. and just sobbed for Susan's loss. I could only imagine what
both of you were going through at that time.
I was
in Michigan over the Christmas Holiday and my mother, sisters, niece and
I tried to visit Jascha's grave but the cemetery was closed on Christmas
Day. We would drive by a sports bar and Susan would say,
"Jascha loved watching sports there because there were so many
televisions that he could watch all of the different games at the same
time". Or while eating Buddy's Pizza, "Jascha loved Buddy's
pizza". I could sense Susan's loss of a dear dear friend. She
cried and said how much she missed him.
I told
her that Jascha is in a better place making tons of new friends and
having the time of his life. I also reminded her that Jascha would
NOT want her to be like this - he would yell at her for being so
sad. She agreed.
No one
is promised tomorrow, I can only hope to live my life as Jascha did -
with no regrets and unadulterated passion. His zest and appreciation for
life is something I am learning to incorporate in my everyday life. You
were truly blessed to have a son like Jascha. Hearing stories and
reading the letters on his website show what a phenomenal person he was
and what joy he brought to so many. I tell Susan she was so lucky to
have Jascha as a friend, the memories she has will last her a lifetime.
Sincerely,
Julie
(Cho) Glick |