A DEDICATION FROM EVY, COSTA'S SISTER

I have never known life without my brother, Costa. A mere 11 months separate the two of us and so many experiences connect us. Throughout the same kindergarten, the same school, the same college, he lead and I followed, my little steps eager to keep up with his confident, determined long strides. I never had to worry much about anything because I always knew my big brother was there.

Costa had a way of "making things right" for me. As a child he would help with my homework, stand up for me when I was teased by the other boys, show me how to use a new toy, and he did all this without making me feel inferior. I remember when I'd go to him with a difficult math problem he would not give me the answer right away but would guide me slowly and steadily towards the solution. As an adult, he continued to guide me. No matter what the crisis was all I had to do was say "Hey Costa, I have a problem" and step by step, with much clarity and reason, he would direct me. Sometimes just knowing he was there, was enough to give the confidence and security to deal with anything.

And now suddenly I find myself faced with a problem, my computer broke, or I am having a hard time with one of my classes and I can no longer pick up the phone and find out the quick easy solution from him. At first I panic because I feel lost and I am not sure I can cope without him. But then I think that he I still with me, still guiding me and that I have learned enough from him to deal with problems of a whole lifetime. I take a deep breath and start thinking rationally, just like he did, all that I have learned from my brother throughout his 26 years of life.

From my brother Costa, I have learned that life can be tough but it is up to us to make the best of every situation. When things went wrong Costa didn't dwell on how unlucky he was, but instead he would rationally figure out the best way to deal with the situation. And no matter how bad things were, he was always optimistic.

From my brother Costa, I have learned not to settle for less: that to challenge oneself and to achieve more than the average is a worthy goal in life. Costa was never satisfied with being an average student, an average friend, and average son, and average brother. No matter what task he took upon, he wold strive to complete it to perfection.

From my brother Costa, I have learned that to help someone, is to give more joy to the giver than to the receiver. Most of you, who know Costa well, know him for his willingness to lend a helping hand, without ever asking for a thank you in return. Costa was known for sharing class notes, helping people move, solving a crisis, and he did all this cheerfully and willingly.

But most of all, from my brother, Costa I have learned how to live. To love life and enjoy life, to look upon every day as a new beginning, as a chance to learn something new, laugh with a friend, enjoy a basketball game, cheer someone up. I have learned that life has many obstacles as well as many joys, and that it is up to us to not let a moment go by wasted.

I will never forget my brother Costa. That would be impossible, I know though that he will not only be with me in my memories, but that every time I live the way he chose to live, he will become more and more a part of me. And in this way he will continue to guide me.