I’ve known Julie for about 20 years. We met while we were both working in archives at the Getty Research Institute, and since have shared many parties, barbeques, gallery and museum visits, concerts, game nights, Halloweens, thanksgivings, new years, along with both of our weddings (Tony officiated my wedding in 2010).
Julie was incredibly bright, and one of the most cheerful people I know. She was kind and generous, and very empathetic, and I am grateful to have had the time that I had with her.
Julie and Tony were there for me on the most difficult night of my life, when my late wife Hillary died. They came and got me and had me stay on their couch that night, and hosted a memorial at their house later that week. And they continued to be supportive of me and the changes that my life has gone through since. I hope to be of similar service and comfort to Tony, Brian, Martha and Seth.
This week my wife Doan and I went to the Norton Simon Museum and visited the South and Southeast Asian galleries, and I spent time thinking about the many belief systems that Julie spent so much time studying – religions that have developed to explain the joys and pains of this existence and that give comfort in these times of need. Our time here with each other is very short and we have no idea where our journeys will take us, and we each decide for ourselves the meanings to ascribe to the events in our lives. I’ve always found it a comfort to imagine that there are other parallel universes where the lives that we imagined for ourselves play out the way that we expected. In this universe we can choose to offer each other love, solace and comfort and value the time that we spend with one another.
I will continue to celebrate Julie and remember her qualities and the many wonderful things that she brought to our lives.