Almost 16 years ago, this polite, quirky, yet fascinating
man walked into my office for a job interview. I thought he was more than
capable for the position, but I guess the higher honchos didn’t think so. Despite
that, he always said it was the most important “first interview” of his life.
The “second interview” was over a year later, at the Tadich
Grill in SF, when I happened to see him sitting alone at a table after I
finished dinner there with some friends. Something told me that I should say
goodbye to those friends right then and stop by his table and say hi. I’m so
glad I listened. Because that hello had led to an amazing 14 some years
together.
And now he’s gone.
Xum was a fantastic husband, partner, parent, and friend.
Even when his body and health started to fail him, his heart always stayed
strong for his family and friends. Even during the past year, as he, and we,
were dealing with his glioblastoma. Even through the most depressing and
frustrating times, and there were a number of them, he would always try to keep
up his courage and grace that we had always known him best for. And he would be
quick to apologize for the times when he could not.
For the last few months, after the tumor started to make him
go blind, Isamu and I would help Xum with his e-mails and Facebook messages. And now, we look at Xum's
Facebook feed and see such an outpouring of affection for him. I am amazed how
he had touched so many people without ever meeting them in person.
Amazed, but not surprised.
Because that is so Xum.
Thank you for the warm thoughts, kind
words, and your love.
--Namiko
