Written By Jeremy Chiu

—

I’d like to share everyday stories spanning the entirety of our friendship, starting from elementary school to the present day.

One of the few memories I have of Haven’s Elementary is Ralston complimenting me on a good test score in the 3rd grade. Not sure why my brain saved that, but deep down inside I think it’s because I’ve always looked up to my big brother.

While in college, Ralston and I would consistently share music -- and by sharing music, I mean I would illegally download a bunch of albums for him.

At the time I thought there is a man who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro but is scared to use private school wifi. At the time, it felt like a chore and it seemed like Ralston was being lazy. We all know, he is any but.

It wasn’t until just last night while browsing through his old work that I realized he used the songs I shared in many of his short films. He actually listened to all the albums I sent his way. It was the hardest I’ve cried since the day he left us.

Looking back, music was the way Ralston kept in touch with me. We learned a little bit more about each other through our shared passions.

One of the last times I saw Ralston, he came over to my apartment to catch up. Out of the corner of his ever-perceptive eye, he saw a copy of Orientalia on my coffee table. Ecstatic, he picked it up and offer to get me a signed copy from his father.

I never got to tell him this, but he is the reason I got into photography in High School. I was always jealous & impressed with his unyielding drive to towards honing his craft and his desire to tell stories through his many mediums. Plus, a lot of girls liked him because of this.

Over the years, I have become accustomed to the greatness of Ralston Louie and through his passing, I have been reminded of the significance of his being.

While we were all chasing new highs, he was chasing his own self-discovery.

While we were worried about what others thought of us, he was willing to be misunderstood

While we were seeking validations through the world, he was seeking the answers from within.

We were always playing catch up with him, while Ralston would be sprinting ahead to his next goal and his next grand adventure. Today is no different.

It has been a gift to have Ralston in my life, to follow down the many paths he has paved for us, to learn from his trove of lived experiences, and to be part of the moments of brilliance.

I will miss him dearly and I vow to carry on a piece of Ralston with me as I walk through this life.

Let us live with Ralston in our heads, in our hearts, and in our souls.

Let us live in the moment, without fear and with an abundance of love for the beauty around us.

To the scholar, the athlete, and the creative, Ralston Louie, Rest in Peace.