(no subject)
this is the email i got about Joe... it is a tear jerker...
I am going to copy the email that Joe's brother Mikey sent me. It's really long and it's very touching. Mikey is taking this in a way that i didn't think was possible. I spoke with him last night and he's very calm and collected. When I talked to mikey he and i decided that i'm goin to try to see if we can build a school in joe's favorite place and name it after joe. As you know i've been saving money for it and now that this has happened i am pushed to get contributions for this. mikey is going to help me and we both decided that we would like to go together and be a part of the building process and be there to dedicate the school. of course mikey would dedicate it seeing as joe was his brother. if any of you would like to donate in light of what has happened that would be greatly appriciated. Joe-Joe was one of my best friends and i loved him so much. This would be a great way for us to remember him. If you want to help, even a dollar would help, then contact me and we'll figure out a way to get your donation into the savings account that i have set up for the school.
Mikeys email is as follows:
On October 29, 2004, this world faced one of its
largest family losses. Our brother, Joe Opatowski, was
killed in a fatal car accident.
My brother's loss can become the world's gain if we
celebrate the life that he lived, and practice it with
every second that we are alive. It is about the here
and now.
"Me to We" is a philosophy that is written in books,
spoken in schools, but also, it is the backbone of Joe
Opatowski's existence. He opened doors for people,
broke down barriers, taught lessons of learning- in
order to learn how to teach effectively, emulated and
became greater than the most prominent of world
leaders, was a friend to all, a mentor to many, and
was a soul mate and loving brother to me. He was one
of the most passionate of all of his peers, living
each second of life to the absolute maximum; and then
some. He was an angel on earth that flew above the
likes of ignorance and poverty, and dedicated the
majority of his life to the eradication of both.
Teachers and principals could not possibly fathom the
depths of such a wonderful piece of creation. Students
marveled at his immeasurable ambitions and would
constantly go to seek out his guidance, so that they
too, could perfect the act of life, as much as he did.
He was well beyond his years, whatever that means, but
he was wise and compassionate to even the most
unfortunate in life. In times of trials and
tribulations, he forgot his own problems, in order to
be of assistance to those who wished for his help. His
poetry delved into the vaults of untouched meaning,
from which he swiveled together the most amazing
pieces of art known to humankind. He strived to be
like the Martin Luther Kings of the world, the Mother
Teresas, the Gandhis, but most importantly, he
became the greatest Joe Opatowski that there ever was.
Joe was an independent person for his entire life.
Although, he created families around the globe,
wherever he traveled to, the deep connection with my
brother reached the epitome of all love. From the
time, he taught me how to play basketball when we were
kids, to the times that he took care of us when my
mother and father were not home, to the time that he
bought my plane ticket for the LT Arizona Trip and
told me that if it didn't change my life, than I would
never have to pay him back. But, it did, and I did, at
least I hope I did. He became my coach, my mentor, my
leader, my inspiration, my reason for change. He was
all of those things and much much more to every single
person he touched. He would disagree with me about
what I am saying about him, and say that he rather
showed us that we discovered our gifts for ourselves,
instead of being the gifts himself. Once again, this
was a display of his implicit wisdom, and great
maturity in the life that he lived. Many people would
always approach me, and tell me things about my
brother, as if I'd never known. It is amusing and
entertaining to hear. "Hey, your brother is so cool,
so awesome, so amazing, so interesting, so passionate,
so driven, so motivated, so empowering, so
everything." I would simply respond, "Yup, that's my
brother." In my heart, he was all of those things, and
much, much, more. Growing up, I always aspired to be
like my older brother. If he was going to be an
astronaut, than so was I. If he was going to be a
lawyer, than so was I. If he was going to be a
politician, then I would pass until he found something
a little bit more "honorable." My involvement with
Leaders Today was actually "coincidental." The truth
of the matter is that initially, I did not want to be
emulating my older sibling's choice of career. But it
all worked out, that we ended up empowering young
people side by side. Go figure.
For everyone that has ever heard Joe speak, or
witnessed his daily actions, or heard his profound
viewpoints, or just had the pleasure of knowing this
great man, than you are fully aware of his exuberance
for giving hugs and smiles. There is a philosophy
behind a hug and a smile. But, only Joe would tell you
that you already know it. He was special in the way as
well. A great friend pointed out, the similarity
between Joe's life and the book 'Jonathan Livingstone
Seagull.' We must understand that Joe is flying high
above the skies, while he looks out for each and every
one of us.
He was unstoppable,
He gave breath to meaning,
And meaning to life.
I have cried so many tears, and will continue to mourn
for the loss of my heart for many nights to come, but
I have realized, that not one of these tears will
bring back my brother. He has touched hundreds of
thousands of lives around the world, but he has
engraved his footprints within mine. Joe carried a
legacy with him wherever he went.
The legacy must go on. It lives in each and every one
of us. I have overheard that Joe is with us
spiritually, but not physically. Physically, he has
reserved a portion for himself in all of our hearts.
Spiritually, he connects this great 6 billion person
family that we are all apart of. This is difficult for
me to say, considering my huge admiration for this
young man. But, it is selfish for us to want him with
us the way he was before. Joe is the silver lining in
the clouds, the rainbow in our skies, the rose from
our thorns, and the star in our nights. He has moved
on to a place of greater consciousness and being.
Joe's wishes for us all, are to make the most of the
moments that we invest in our lifetimes.
Some Actions to Take:
If you see a stranger-make him smile-meet a friend
If you see a piece of garbage-pick it up-save the
earth
If you see a homeless person-stop and talk-touch a
life (maybe your own)
If you take a breath-breathe deep-live full
If you walk down a street-Use all 5 senses-Be fully
aware
If you're scared-Gratitude is key-To Erase your Fears
If you're happy-Run a mile-Do some cartwheels-Give
some hugs-Offer some smiles--
Be yourself.
We must remember that he was a shining example of
being Me to We. We must keep going with the message
that he lived on a daily basis. Joe would have wanted
that for all of us. I want that for all of us. It is
more important now, than ever, that we keep empowering
young people with the life changing messages of Free
the Children and Leaders Today.
As time passes by, more people will find out about my
brother's untimely demise. I speak on behalf of Joe,
when I say that we should not concentrate on the fact
that he died, but rather, on the way that he lived. By
the second, by the moment, by the instant.
I've had the "privilege" if you may, of seeing Mr. Joe
Opatowski in his most vulnerable state. Let it be
known, that he died with a smile on his face. He was
soo beautiful. My god, he was an angel. My guardian
angel. Our guardian angel.
Joe's family is our family. I love you all brothers
and sisters. I send big hugs in this great time of
need. Stay strong, stay strong.
Je t'aime Joe
With Peace and Conviction
Great Love, Hugs and Smiles
Live it up as if today was the first day of the rest
of your life.
Mikey Opatowski (I hope we may all grow together)
IF you'd like to share a story, tell a joke, or have a
nice conversation.
(416) 444-1480 --Home
(416) 520-4414 --Cell
Je t'aime.
I am going to copy the email that Joe's brother Mikey sent me. It's really long and it's very touching. Mikey is taking this in a way that i didn't think was possible. I spoke with him last night and he's very calm and collected. When I talked to mikey he and i decided that i'm goin to try to see if we can build a school in joe's favorite place and name it after joe. As you know i've been saving money for it and now that this has happened i am pushed to get contributions for this. mikey is going to help me and we both decided that we would like to go together and be a part of the building process and be there to dedicate the school. of course mikey would dedicate it seeing as joe was his brother. if any of you would like to donate in light of what has happened that would be greatly appriciated. Joe-Joe was one of my best friends and i loved him so much. This would be a great way for us to remember him. If you want to help, even a dollar would help, then contact me and we'll figure out a way to get your donation into the savings account that i have set up for the school.
Mikeys email is as follows:
On October 29, 2004, this world faced one of its
largest family losses. Our brother, Joe Opatowski, was
killed in a fatal car accident.
My brother's loss can become the world's gain if we
celebrate the life that he lived, and practice it with
every second that we are alive. It is about the here
and now.
"Me to We" is a philosophy that is written in books,
spoken in schools, but also, it is the backbone of Joe
Opatowski's existence. He opened doors for people,
broke down barriers, taught lessons of learning- in
order to learn how to teach effectively, emulated and
became greater than the most prominent of world
leaders, was a friend to all, a mentor to many, and
was a soul mate and loving brother to me. He was one
of the most passionate of all of his peers, living
each second of life to the absolute maximum; and then
some. He was an angel on earth that flew above the
likes of ignorance and poverty, and dedicated the
majority of his life to the eradication of both.
Teachers and principals could not possibly fathom the
depths of such a wonderful piece of creation. Students
marveled at his immeasurable ambitions and would
constantly go to seek out his guidance, so that they
too, could perfect the act of life, as much as he did.
He was well beyond his years, whatever that means, but
he was wise and compassionate to even the most
unfortunate in life. In times of trials and
tribulations, he forgot his own problems, in order to
be of assistance to those who wished for his help. His
poetry delved into the vaults of untouched meaning,
from which he swiveled together the most amazing
pieces of art known to humankind. He strived to be
like the Martin Luther Kings of the world, the Mother
Teresas, the Gandhis, but most importantly, he
became the greatest Joe Opatowski that there ever was.
Joe was an independent person for his entire life.
Although, he created families around the globe,
wherever he traveled to, the deep connection with my
brother reached the epitome of all love. From the
time, he taught me how to play basketball when we were
kids, to the times that he took care of us when my
mother and father were not home, to the time that he
bought my plane ticket for the LT Arizona Trip and
told me that if it didn't change my life, than I would
never have to pay him back. But, it did, and I did, at
least I hope I did. He became my coach, my mentor, my
leader, my inspiration, my reason for change. He was
all of those things and much much more to every single
person he touched. He would disagree with me about
what I am saying about him, and say that he rather
showed us that we discovered our gifts for ourselves,
instead of being the gifts himself. Once again, this
was a display of his implicit wisdom, and great
maturity in the life that he lived. Many people would
always approach me, and tell me things about my
brother, as if I'd never known. It is amusing and
entertaining to hear. "Hey, your brother is so cool,
so awesome, so amazing, so interesting, so passionate,
so driven, so motivated, so empowering, so
everything." I would simply respond, "Yup, that's my
brother." In my heart, he was all of those things, and
much, much, more. Growing up, I always aspired to be
like my older brother. If he was going to be an
astronaut, than so was I. If he was going to be a
lawyer, than so was I. If he was going to be a
politician, then I would pass until he found something
a little bit more "honorable." My involvement with
Leaders Today was actually "coincidental." The truth
of the matter is that initially, I did not want to be
emulating my older sibling's choice of career. But it
all worked out, that we ended up empowering young
people side by side. Go figure.
For everyone that has ever heard Joe speak, or
witnessed his daily actions, or heard his profound
viewpoints, or just had the pleasure of knowing this
great man, than you are fully aware of his exuberance
for giving hugs and smiles. There is a philosophy
behind a hug and a smile. But, only Joe would tell you
that you already know it. He was special in the way as
well. A great friend pointed out, the similarity
between Joe's life and the book 'Jonathan Livingstone
Seagull.' We must understand that Joe is flying high
above the skies, while he looks out for each and every
one of us.
He was unstoppable,
He gave breath to meaning,
And meaning to life.
I have cried so many tears, and will continue to mourn
for the loss of my heart for many nights to come, but
I have realized, that not one of these tears will
bring back my brother. He has touched hundreds of
thousands of lives around the world, but he has
engraved his footprints within mine. Joe carried a
legacy with him wherever he went.
The legacy must go on. It lives in each and every one
of us. I have overheard that Joe is with us
spiritually, but not physically. Physically, he has
reserved a portion for himself in all of our hearts.
Spiritually, he connects this great 6 billion person
family that we are all apart of. This is difficult for
me to say, considering my huge admiration for this
young man. But, it is selfish for us to want him with
us the way he was before. Joe is the silver lining in
the clouds, the rainbow in our skies, the rose from
our thorns, and the star in our nights. He has moved
on to a place of greater consciousness and being.
Joe's wishes for us all, are to make the most of the
moments that we invest in our lifetimes.
Some Actions to Take:
If you see a stranger-make him smile-meet a friend
If you see a piece of garbage-pick it up-save the
earth
If you see a homeless person-stop and talk-touch a
life (maybe your own)
If you take a breath-breathe deep-live full
If you walk down a street-Use all 5 senses-Be fully
aware
If you're scared-Gratitude is key-To Erase your Fears
If you're happy-Run a mile-Do some cartwheels-Give
some hugs-Offer some smiles--
Be yourself.
We must remember that he was a shining example of
being Me to We. We must keep going with the message
that he lived on a daily basis. Joe would have wanted
that for all of us. I want that for all of us. It is
more important now, than ever, that we keep empowering
young people with the life changing messages of Free
the Children and Leaders Today.
As time passes by, more people will find out about my
brother's untimely demise. I speak on behalf of Joe,
when I say that we should not concentrate on the fact
that he died, but rather, on the way that he lived. By
the second, by the moment, by the instant.
I've had the "privilege" if you may, of seeing Mr. Joe
Opatowski in his most vulnerable state. Let it be
known, that he died with a smile on his face. He was
soo beautiful. My god, he was an angel. My guardian
angel. Our guardian angel.
Joe's family is our family. I love you all brothers
and sisters. I send big hugs in this great time of
need. Stay strong, stay strong.
Je t'aime Joe
With Peace and Conviction
Great Love, Hugs and Smiles
Live it up as if today was the first day of the rest
of your life.
Mikey Opatowski (I hope we may all grow together)
IF you'd like to share a story, tell a joke, or have a
nice conversation.
(416) 444-1480 --Home
(416) 520-4414 --Cell
Je t'aime.