Reality came around/and without so much, as a mere touch/cut me into little pieces

There are things I have yet to do in life.

What I did yesterday was something I never had to do. Personally, I could have gone without.

I was in Fresno with my sister and her family checking my e-mail on my cell phone and saw an e-mail from my friend James. It was a reply to a message about me being able to attend next weekend’s UFC fight in Las Vegas.

I opened it to discover, this was not the case.

It was a message from his mom, and to call her as soon as possible.

As many of you know by now, James Melroy passed away.

For the rest of the day, I was on the phone. Each call reminded me off a story. I must have walked at least two miles in the back yard of my sisters’ house as I’m calling and remembering other people to call.

I had begun a mini-vacation with stops in Fresno (Thursday) and Stockton to take my father to the doctor as he continues his radiation therapy. After that, I may just cut my trip short.

The strange thing is the e-mail sits in my Gmail, marked as unread. When I check my Gmail on my phone, it doesn’t always mark it as unread. When I checked it on my computer, it’s still marked unread. I don’t want to open it again.

James was such a great friend. He was there for me so many times when I needed a friend to talk to; always giving sound advice. I’m sure I’m not alone in this category. I’m richer for having known him in my 2 and half years working at the Press-Telegram.

Despite his limitations, he lived a much fuller life than me, an able bodied person. But that was James, he never let anything stop him, something I’ve yet to learn.

My thoughts and prayers go to his mom and his family. They have had to endure so much recently with the passing of James grandfather a week ago. I can’t imagine what they are going through now.

James’ last story is his grandfather’s eulogy. I was told by a college professor that the best story you’d ever write would be writing about a loved one that died. James, you did the profession proud with that story.

I miss you.

http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_9710196

His final story:

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_9694797

For more tributes:

http://lbguild9400.blogspot.com/2008/06/farewell-james.html

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/index.php/topic,57956.0.html

James' favorite cutout.