I met James my freshman year of college the fall of 98 in the dorms. I was moving into my dorm room awaiting my fate as to whom I would share my small dorm room with for the rest of the year and in walked James. He walked in with a backpack on, guitar in hand, and a painting he had done.....oh yeah and a huge grin from ear to ear. I remember what he was carrying because I thought it was so interesting and it truly showed me what he was all about....and what was important to him. As he walked in and gave me a one over he said "so you're the guy I will be sleeping in a room with for the remainder of the year" I didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or what, but he later told me that he was happy to be rooming with me (a normal person) and that our situation could have turned into a nightmare...which I quickly agreed. The funny thing was that most of the students were eager to get out of the dorms after their first year, but James and I decided to room again for a second school year.....we were having too much fun!  

 

I have so many good memories of James that it's hard to pick just one, but there are certain times that stand out more than others. My most memorable moment with James was in a stair well at his apartment in New York. I was in NY on business and planned on staying a night with James. I came over to James's house on a late Friday night following a work function. When I came in James and I decided to take a few beers out to the stair well to sit on the stairs and have a heart to heart talk. We sat in his stair well for about 4 hours (12 a.m. - 4 a.m.) talking about life, our careers, family, and women. This was so special to me because how often do you stop to talk about life? That night was the first of many times I told James the impact he had on my life and how I looked up to him. I remember this time like it was yesterday, as this was a special moment that I will never forget. Till this day there are still words I take and use from that conversation...

 

James....as we all know you left this earth much too early, but you were called to work with the Lord. I and all that you have loved are privied to having you looking over us as our Guardian Angel.....this isn't a goodbye, just a long vacation...we will see each other again...

 

Love ya James