This weekend one of my good friends passed away. His name was Julio Gonzalez, and he was on of the greatest people I've encountered in my life. At the age of 24 and with a birthday right around the corner, Julio had his life unexpectedly taken away from him...and us.

I first met Julio in 2001-2002 at Collins College, a tech school here in Phoenix. Over the next couple years at that school, we became good friends, and I really, truly enjoyed his company and everything that he was. I remember going to a deli across the street from our school that was owned by some Russians. Every time his order came up, they could never pronounce his name right, and always shouted, "Julie-O." :-)

We had some great times at that school. Times I would love to relive again, and times I would not change for the world. After school, we kept in touch, though not as much as I would of liked.

But I will truly always remember Julio and love the guy for one thing - he got me the job at my current place of employment, University of Phoenix / Apollo Grp. Without him, I don't know where my life would be right now. I can honestly say, that I owe my current way of life to Julio. I can never repay you for that buddy, and now that you're gone, I feel like I never said thank you enough. Thank you.

Not only was going to school with Julio great, but so was working with him. He could make, otherwise boring days at work, fun and enjoyable. Thanks to Julio, whenever I hear the word "SALSA" shouted from across the room, I duck. Julio and our fellow co-workers know what I'm talking about. ;-)

Sometimes life sucks. Even though we didn't hang out as much as I would of liked, I miss Julio now more than ever. A great guy taken away from us, maybe physically, but never in memory. See ya buddy...you will be greatly missed.