I cannot say, and I will not say That he is dead. He is just away. With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand, He has wandered into an unknown land And left us dreaming how very fair It needs must be, since he lingers there. And you—oh you, who the wildest yearn For an old-time step, and the glad return, Think of him faring on, as dear In the love of There as the love of Here. Think of him still as the same. I say, He is not dead—he is just away.”
– James Whitcomb Riley
In memory of Jacob George, The greatest human I have ever seen.
Life was getting serious in 2006 when I changed my school to Green Valley. That’s when I met this guy, chubby, funny. We called him chakko and chakka ( mainly because of two things, first he was a bit chubby, secondly his family name was chakkiyath. ) Jacob George, a great friend, loved by all.
I don’t remember the first time I met him. But I remember – his smile, the way he used to roll his eyes when he said something sarcastically, he getting scolded by teachers for the things we all did, the way he bends his head and the way he peeped while doing it. He was a guy who had time for us, no matter what, he was always there for each and every one of us.
After getting a new phone, I was eagerly waiting for people to add me back to most of the groups that I missed. That’s when I saw all the plans for the reunion of our gang. Jacob was planning everything. And the next day, I heard the news that he passed away in an unfortunate accident in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu while trying to save his drowning friend. That was so Jacob. He didn’t know swimming either. Imagine the risk he was ready to take for his best friend. He died a hero. He took the right decision, only that it cost his life.
He wanted to give us all a great reunion. And he did in a way we never expected, in a way we never wanted.
When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the path of men.
I couldn’t write all these days. Thinking about you is a huge pain mate. It’s been almost three weeks now, and on this friendship day, we miss you, my friend. See you on the other side for there is a ton thing to tell you. Things I didn’t get a chance to tell you. No regrets still, for you live in our hearts forever and years to come.
UPDATE (25th Nov 2015)
Reminisce Jacob was launched.
