He had a real laugh-- a hearty, howl of a laugh that bellowed deep from his gut and echoed clear across the room.  It was his trademark, his thumb print, if you will, on life. His name was Colin Campbell, and Sunday he passed away, quite unexpectedly, quietly in his sleep. Suddenly, the laughter had ended, and with it my hopes of reuniting with this gentle bubbly giant. I met Colin more than 10 years ago through my best friend Anita. They both went to Morgan State University and he was the first person she met on campus. Months down the line, she introduced him to me and it seemed as if I had known him forever. He was so easy to like, so easy to talk to and so easy to laugh with. It's rare that you meet people like him. That's why it's so hard to believe he is no longer here. I will miss you Colin. I am so sorry our reunion (me, you and Anita) didn't happen, but I am so happy to have encountered such a beautiful soul. You are truly, beautifully, authentically human and your laughter and smile will live on in each of us that had the opportunity to call you FRIEND.  

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