What Greg is Teaching Us

Tonight the larger Fairfax community gathered in the Bowl at Van Dyck Park to both mourn the loss of Gregory Malsam and celebrate his life. It was a simple service that was poignant, funny and brought home the reality that while life can be taken away in an instant, it's what you do while you are living that matters.

And what Greg did mattered.

Some people have commented privately to me that they don't understand why there has been this outpouring for Greg. And I can certainly understand their viewpoint, especially if they didn't know him or even know of him.

But Greg touched people in ways that you can't account for on a plaque, in a newspaper headline or on a ballfield. From his interest in electricity and construction to the smile he always had, he was someone that people remembered for the little things Greg did - that made a big difference in someone's day - and their life.

Take for instance Lanier Middle School Principal Scott Poole's touching memory tonight of when Greg insisted on helping with the construction of Lanier's remodeling of school. People don't know it, but a lot of wire that connects that school has Greg's hands on it.

Or one of his high school teachers speaking of Greg's smile cheering her up and the look he gave her when students were acting up. It was a look that said, "Let it go, it's not that important." And he was right, she said. There were better things to focus on and not get worked up over.

Then there were his friends, some who even had known him since kindergarten. But one girl stuck out that speaks to why more than 200 people came out tonight to his vigil: Having just moved here in 7th grade, this young girl didn't know a soul. And at that age it's hard to make friends. Greg though introduced himself, helped her find her way and was always there to help no matter what.

At the end of the service, Greg's brother Kendall asked the crowd to look around and give each other a hug, saying before the request that many people wished they had gotten to know Greg better. Well, Kendall said, this is your chance to know your neighbors, your friends and even strangers just a little bit better. Don't ignore them, understand them.

This is a lesson that we can all learn. Thank you, Greg, for the way you've touched us all so that we can better neighbors and just plain better people.

Couple of quick notes:
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 31, at Everly Funeral Home, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030. Interment immediately following at the adjacent Fairfax Cemetery. Carpools are encouraged due to limited parking.

The family is gratefully accepting donations to “The Gregory James Malsam Memorial Fund,” c/o Reggie Jones, 232 West Colonial Highway, Hamilton, VA 20158.