More time than we knew each other for.

I wish you happiness for eternity.

Zikora I'm so sorry I jumped you on the line and loaned Fr Marc my copy of Eragon instead of you.

Please forgive me.

Toke, thank you so much for all the laughter your friendship brought to my life.

I always thought I was already friends with all the Regis girls who were not mean and grumpy, until I met you.

I laughed so hard at your impression of Brother Jake as he walked away that day in the parking lot.

Thank you for helping me squeeze into my dress in your classroom on Cultural Day.

You were such an amazing person and I never knew it because we had only that one term.

Thank you for being my friend, especially at a time and in a place where not many people were willing to face the risk of being my friend.

I don't want to say "Rest in Peace" and I don't want to use past tense when I talk about you.

It's not fair. This isn't right.

Zikora, thank you for letting me cry all over you again and again. Thank you for every thing, for every day.

I can't say thank you enough but my thanks can't bring you back, and I don't know why.

I wish so much somehow what happened to you, to all of you could be undone. But you don't get to be human and do and undo.

Being human means to keep moving forward, no matter what, spurred on by the hopes and dreams of those whose paths were cut short.

But each step is so, so painful.

Please be happy. I desperately want to believe that in all of this you are somehow happy and well.

I miss you so so much.

Fuck I said I wasn't going to cry today.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for everything.

Zikora Okafor

March 6, 1989 to December 10, 2005

Avoider of Jogging and Morning Duty Lover of Novels, Gossip, and Gist of All Kinds Passer of Exams Without Ever Studying Loyola Jesuit College Head Boy Beloved Friend and Partner in Crime