Mahes — or as many of us fondly called him, Kannadi ( கண்ணாடி) Mahes. We met at the School of Agriculture and graduated together in 1977. That was the beginning of a friendship that would last a lifetime — or, I should say, beyond a lifetime. From those early days of mischief and shared dreams, we formed a bond that was strong, loyal, and filled with laughter. Even after I moved to the U.S. and Mahes later to Canada, our friendship only grew. Distance never came between us. We kept in touch regularly — talking about life, family, and often laughing over the naughty things we did in our teenage days. Those conversations were full of joy and warmth — a reminder of simpler times and the strength of a connection that spanned decades and oceans. Just a few days ago, we spoke. He was his usual self — bright, funny, kind. But when I returned from Sri Lanka last Sunday and reached out to check on him… the message came from the other side. He was gone. It was a shock that left me numb. For a week, I couldn’t bring myself to do anything but sit in silence and cherish the beautiful memories we shared. It still feels surreal — that someone so full of life, so close to my heart, is no longer here. Life is unpredictable. We never know when the last goodbye will come. Mahes — for your friendship, your honesty, and the countless memories we created — thank you. I will carry them with me always. Goodbye, my friend. I’ll see you soon. Rest in peace, மச்சான்