My friend - I only knew you such an extremely short time. Yet with our nightly talks on language, history and even listening to the italian online radio together to keep me up to date, it seemed that I have known you for so much longer.

I will never get to see your smile, hear your laugh, or tell you to stop smoking inside.

You will never get the opportunity to meet my family in person rather than simply through the camera.

You had the remarkable ability to allow friendships to blossom, even if one did stupid and hurtful things. You forgave, you assisted, you laughed. That laugh and smile.......

And sadly, I will never have your knowledge and wisdom to ponder on during my day.

I will miss you. And so, until we speak again - allow this young person to have the gift to think on all you said, and what you did, so that when my time comes, I will hopefully have still more questions to ask.