Next month marks the two year anniversary of the death of our dear friend, Dan (DJ) Heath. Dan and I lost one of our greatest friends. He was like the big brother I never had. Dan had known him since he was little. They even shared a name: they were both Daniel Joseph's.
Dan Heath was diagnosed with leukemia in 1997 as he was preparing to serve a mission in the Ukraine. Dan had a dry and witty humor, a love for Seinfeld, MASH, and Star Trek. He loved to read--everything from sci fi novels to Shakespeare. He was a die-hard Lakers fan, even through the bad years, and he wore his tattered Lakers hat until it was nothing but vapors. 
I loved DJ for being the most devoted and loyal a friend a person could ever ask for. He never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or any other special event. He managed to support and encourage his friends through their dating, education, marriages, and parenthood--even though he would never have those opportunities himself.
He battled his disease off and on for ten years: 19 years old to 29 years old. What should have been the most eventful and exciting time of a person's life was spent in chemo. He attended his ten year reunion bloated from streoids and pushing an oxygen tank. But somehow, he did it with a sense of humor and perspective. We loved Dan and his obituary still hangs on our refrigerator, reminding us daily that life is fickle and fragile. God Bless Dan.