So often in life someone enters our lives for a short period of time. Sometimes they leave a lasting impression and sometimes we're actually glad to see them leave. While I only knew Fouad Kaady as a customer of my store for about two years, I've come to realize what an incredible person he must have been. I spent close to four hours today at the Clackamas County Courthouse in order to testify in front of a Grand Jury. Upon arriving I was immediately greeted by numerous family members. I talked to a few for a while and quickly realized how much they loved him. They handed me signs to help their protest, but I felt since I was testifying, it would be improper of me to do so. I can't believe how much my heart bled. I could not fathom anything of this magnitude happening to my brother or any other family member and not wanting to spend the rest of my life fighting for justice. I wanted to thank Fouad mostly for his kindness. While we never did anything outside of work, being offered a barbecue lunch by him was an incedible jesture on his part. He always appeared to be thinking about others before himself. The most important lesson he taught me would be to take the time to get to know those who I think are good people. I'm sick to my stomach for not having that lunch with him. Getting to experience so little of what he had to offer leaves me wondering how often this occurs in my life. Time spent doing absolutely nothing is really a shame when the alternative is getting to better know someone like Fouad. Please take the time to experience the things you would otherwise blow off. You never know when that might be taken away.

P.S. The painting on the left side was drawn by Fouad.