Remembering Jamie (1986-2008)

A resident on my floor, who is also a friend of mine, Jamie Heard, passed away last Sunday. His death came as a shock to everyone. Jamie was one of the best person one could ever know. He was always positive, and he always said that "Life is beautiful." Everytime I saw him, he was smiling. He gave a lot of hugs to people too. He was hardworking and diligent, and he was genuinely interested in people, which was evident in the number of people affected by his death.

A vigil for him took place on-campus last night and close to a thousand people was there. This was only the people he knew on campus, not counting the number of lives he touched outside of UMBC. He inspired and encouraged a lot of people, and he challenged me to be better. Whenever I saw him, he'd always asked me how I was, and it was not because he was being polite, but because he really wanted to know how I was doing.

He will truly be missed.

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In Jamie's own words...
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I value life because I realize that too many people waste it. I smile because I realize that too many people cry. I laugh because I know too many people take things too seriously. I lead because too many people have been led astray. I teach because so many people are ignorant. I speak because people need to listen. I listen because so many people have been ignored. I have fun because too many people are always busy. I live for a purpose, because too many people have died for no purpose. I love because too many people show hate. I keep trying because too many people give up. I appreciate what I have because so many people take it for granted. Life is beautiful.