Chris…

I have never met you and I never met FJ. But, from reading about your gyro adventures and posts on the Rotary Forum I feel as if I do know you. Just as I feel as if I know so many people from the forum. We are all one big family. Granted, our big family may be dysfunctional more often than not. But the one strand that binds us is our love of gyros.

Although I never met him, when I received word of FJ I felt the blow just the same as if it were someone in the local club. I was speechless. My immediate thoughts went to you, and how this was such a difficult thing for you. I cannot even imagine enduring what you have been forced to endure.

In reading the posts since, about others’ remembrances of FJ, I feel as if I know him better. He seems like the kind of guy I would have enjoyed sharing honeybuns with and talking gyros.

In your posts since your loss, you have maintained perspective, shown tolerance and grace (when I know it was difficult to do so), and a touch of a sense of humor now and then. It just goes to show your strength of character.

I feel as if I am rambling here. But the main thing I wanted through this note was to let you know there are many nameless and faceless folks in the gyro family who feel as I do….compassion and sympathy for your loss of FJ. You are in many peoples’ thoughts and prayers.