I feel like I have lost a part of myself in the past two days, with the death of two great men who had a profound impact on me.

To Howard Zinn, who taught me to perceive history as the work of the people, and not always men in suits.

To JD Salinger, for helping me survive my teen years, for understanding me indirectly, through your stories about the eccentric Glass family, for making me passionate about writing, enough to honor you by wanting to name my child Zooey, after the character in Franny and Zooey, for helping me portray this passion by wanting to analyze things, despite it being something I didn't understand, as I was too young, for a 9th grade paper, on 9 stories (I chose "A Perfect Day for Bananafish")

Thank you for inspiring me.

If Gabo is next, I won't leave my room.

May you rest in peace, and never forget how many people's lives you've changed.
I love you.