My younger cousin of 24 years passed away suddenly last month. He was fishing when the current of the Fraser River swept away his two friends, and he attempted to save them. I made a tribute slideshow video in his memory:

He was the most cheerful, positive, and proactive person that could ever be. He shared his aura with everyone he touched and talked to.

Even though none of us were related by blood, along with a couple of other young, FOB, refugee Hmong families, we started a small, tight-knit, and growing community here in Vancouver. To us, it made no difference who your direct blood relative was. Everyone was family.

Our families were especially close, my own younger brother was born only a month before Christopher, and they both share the same name. As close as they were, he was also best friends with my other younger brother Don.

With his love of cars, and specifically Honda Integras, Christopher became an auto-mechanic, and had been passionately honing his craft for six years in Abbotsford. He saved many an Integra from impound lots and scrap yards, rebuilding them (almost entirely) into beautiful works of art. Needless to say, he was a major contributor to the local Honda Integra and import scene.

Christopher was an amazing uncle to his two nephews and niece, and loved his teenage sweetheart and fiance as much as a man could.

You will be dearly missed, and shall live forever in my heart. It is my great honour to have lived at your side.

Thank you for being a part of my life.