Letter: Thanks for support after loss of son

On Nov. 15 I lost my son, Zul Ismail. While that is devastating and a load too heavy to bear for me, all his many friends have expressed their shock and sadness as well. This young man was a gentle, loving and caring soul. He was a friend to everyone. He was deaf, but he heard everything through his big heart and bright eyes. He thought he was 7 feet tall on the volleyball court. All of his friends’ grief is as great as mine.

I want to thank all of his and my friends that I heard from for their kind words and deeds, especially Richland’s city manager and the Richland staff, but mostly Richland’s firefighters. This kind, caring and ever professional group of men and women were there in force when I needed them most, numerous times.

I will never take for granted others’ grief again. Everyone should do everything they can every day to tell and show those that they love how much they do love them, because there will be a time when they cannot any longer. The support that I was shown by those who cared is something that I will never be able to repay.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Letter: Thanks for support after loss of son."