Pushparaj Selvaraj is one of my dearest friends.  I had the opportunity to meet “Raj” about three (3) years ago when my company began outsourcing certain business functions to India.  Raj is from Chennai, a fairly populated city in the Southeastern part of the country.  We spent about three (3) weeks together in 2009 when I traveled to India on a training assignment.  Later, Raj spent roughly three (3) months in Utah learning from our office.

Though I’ve taught Raj and his colleagues much about mortgage loans and underwriting, I feel that I’ve benefited more from our relationship.  You see, the people of Chennai are a wonderful bunch, with many positive attributes.  From a business perspective, we appreciate their education, intelligence and hard work.  Personally though, what I appreciate most is their genuine kindness.  This type of kindness is almost completely absent from most of our places of work and, sadly, many of our churches and families.  When it comes to exhibiting kindness, Raj is no exception.  In fact, he is one of the kindest folks that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

It saddens me to report that Raj lost one of his close friends and co-workers yesterday to a tragic motorcycle accident.  His name is Handel Jim.  I don’t know Jim.  We hadn’t yet had the pleasure of working together, though he had just been assigned to our team.  However, a friend of Raj’s, had we been given the opportunity to meet, most certainly would have been a friend of mine.  Raj posted this on his Facebook Wall last night.

“One of the darkest days of life. Have lost a very good hearted immensely talented friend of myn by name Handel Jim. Still can’t believe he has passed away. How could I forget all the beautiful moments we spent together. You had always been an awesome guy. I will miss you so very badly buddy. With tears & unbearable pain in my heart, I pray for your soul to rest in peace:-(“

Pushparaj,  keep your head up and trust in God.  I am blessed by your friendship and truly saddened by your lost.  I am not great with words, but I want to share with you some lyrics from a song that we sang at church on Sunday.  It goes like this:

“There is a light

It burns brighter than the sun

He steals the night

And cast no shadow

There is hope

Should oceans rise and mountains fall

He never fails

So take heart

Let His love lead us through the night

Hold on to hope

And take courage again”