Dear the Rau family,
I am extremely sorry for your loss, Josh was the most amazing person I
ever knew.  As a freshman at Paul Smith's College this year I knew Josh
for only five months but it feels like a lifetime of memories.  He was
there for me from the day that we met whether it be a problem he helped
me get through with his smile that always made the day better, or just a
few hours together outside sledding or skiing it was always a great day
with Josh there.  When going to a dance I could always count on Josh to
help me fit right in and have the night of my life dancing and laughing
with him.  Josh was a kid at heart but always worked hard and had such a
great life, he was always working to make the day better for others,
such a caring young man.  I am extremely thankful to have met Josh and
enjoy some of his last days with him, Friday skiing at whiteface with
him and John, a warm, sunny, beautiful day, the best day at the
mountain, and then Saturday night for his birthday, ending with a
goodbye birthday hug and kiss on the forehead from the most amazing
person I've ever known, a goodbye lasting long, but we will meet again.

Julie Polasik (Bainbridge, NY)
polasij@paulsmiths.edu