Chris always liked to challenge those around him and today I am faced with the ultimate challenge as I stand before you.
The magnitude of our loss causes pain at a level I did not know existed. But even the darkest moments of seemingly bottomless sadness have been punctuated and eclipsed by laughter and smiles as I remember conversations, adventures, and witticisms we were so lucky to share with Chris.
Chris was so many things to so many people: a son, brother, nephew, uncle, boyfriend, and friend. A jokester, singer, musician, mentor, philosopher, storyteller. How blessed we all are to have played a role in his life but more importantly, how blessed we all are to have had him in ours.
I loved telling Chris he was a human magnet -- without fail eliciting a grumble and groan. But that was one argument he was not going to win. He was magnetic and all of us were drawn to him. He was there to cheer us on no matter what endeavor. Our rock through trying times, a brain to pick, a shoulder to cry on.
He was a listener and a conversationalist unlike any other. There was no such thing as a dull exchange. Nothing slipped by him -- he was present and focused and you knew you had his full attention when you were with him. No matter how large the crowd, he made you feel like you were the center of the world.
There was no halfway with Chris. He was all in, and by virtue of the fact that you were with him, you were all in, too. You could not help but feel more full of life then when you were with him. We lived harder, laughed louder, and loved more in his company.
He loved us unconditionally and neither physical distance nor the passage of time diminished the connections we shared with him.
I could go on and on searching for words to describe Chris, but language is not capable of capturing all that he embodied and the feelings he inspired in us.
The world is a darker place without him but Chris's impact is indelible. So think about the bear hugs you were lucky enough to share, the sweet sound of his booming voice when he called your name, and the mischievousness in his laughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Shafer, Adele, Port, Zach and Amy: Thank you for sharing Chris with us. We love you and share your sorrow.
It is insufficient to say Chris will not be forgotten. Rather, he will be forever remembered each day for the rest of our lives.
By Gillian Kumagai
