My Friend Mitch

-Eulogy-

There are far too many noble traits about my brother, Mitchell Hausdchildt, to unpack them all today. But, if there is 2 qualities that I want people to remember about Mitch, it is that he was beyond generous and loyal. When our circle of brothers gathered on the Sunday after his death as we tried to make sense of what happened, our brother Andy put it best: "Mitch was the most ferociously loyal person I have ever met".

I met Mitch when I moved from Minneapolis to Plymouth to attend Maple Grove Junior High. I had no friends at this new school, and I was a part of a completely different environment. My family moved from a mostly inner-city setting to a predominately middle-class and Caucasian community. To put it simply, I stuck out at school. How fortunate I was to randomly sit next to Mitch during lunch. I thought I was going to sit all alone and keep to myself, but since day 1, Mitch was my brother and protected me. He didn't have to defend me every time I was reminded I was an outsider, but he did, because that's the kind of person he was.

Our friendship would continue to blossom. Mitch fell in love with my neighborhood friends and he would soon show them the same level of generosity and loyalty he did to me. My neighborhood friends and I would gather every day after school, but Mitch lived 5 mile away. Which might not seem like a lot, but to a middle schooler without a car and many options, it certainly is a distance not easily covered. Mitch would ride his bike over every day after school to make sure he saw us. I would let him know that he didn't need to make that journey on days it was 100 degrees and humid, or 10 below zero and snowy, but no barrier was too great for Mitch.

Mitch would constantly let us know how much he loved us. From the first time he invited us over to his mom's house so we could have our very first eating contest, to anytime someone fell ill or injured them self, and to the countless bonfire we had. Every time Mitch and I had one of our deep conversations, we would always end it with: "I can't wait until we're all 50, and we are having these same conversations looking back at all the good times we had". My brother, Mitch, we are looking back at all the love you shared, and how happy you made us. And we promise you, that when we're all 50 and looking back at our lives, that you will be there.

The World Is A Confusing Place

I comment on everything, and I feel like I have over saturated feeds many of times, so I kept silent about France. The World Wide Web attempted to cover everything when it came to commentary, even though there weren't and still aren't any words that could describe how awful yesterday's events were. I stayed up hitting refresh as bits of information came into focus from the chaos. Things became darker and darker with each update. When darkness is cast onto the world, my mind also seems to go down a dark path. My nihilistic side emerges, and to cope I tell myself that we are but microscopic dots in a vast cosmic arena. That idea helps me come to terms with darkness because it's true. The universe does not give a damn about us.
However, I took a totally different approach today. I visited The Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota for an informational seminar. To be around like minded people who are deeply concerned and motivated to better the world was extremely comforting. People who have dedicated their lives to better the public, and to nurture higher education.
I host a free event once a year for Koreans living in Minnesota. I lucked out because that event was planned for today. I found solace in focusing my energy, time, and resources into making other people feel comfortable and smile. Every one thanked me endlessly when the event ended, but I made sure that it was me that thanked them before they left. They showed me that we can manifest happiness even in tough times. They showed me that loving bonds can be formed with strangers. The universe might not give a damn how we are as we float on this giant rock in the middle of nowhere, but I give a damn. I love you, and that's why it hurts when tragedy strikes.