Monday, May 24, 2010

Hashim

Graduation was a great celebration for us as a family, but as with most graduations, one of the down sides is that it means saying good-bye to some friends.



Those of you who have read this blog often have seen references to our friend Hashim Alhamad from time to time as well as his frequent comments to posts. Outside of our immediate family, Hashim is the person I have spent the most time with over the past three years (Katie knew that if she needed to get hold of me she could just call Hashim's cell phone). We met after one of our Statics classes my first semester at CU. We were both commiserating a blown quiz from the class that had just finished with the infamous Professor Dow (who you will often hear quoted with fondness if you are around the two of us together for very long). From that point on we worked on numerous labs, group projects and homework assignments together. Then last fall we spent nearly the entire semester together working on the same team for our Senior Design Project. We designed a pumping station for a water reuse system. Hashim was responsible for the structural design while I designed the hydraulic systems.



Hashim was selected out of high school as one of fifty students in Saudi Arabia to receive a full ride scholarship from the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC). Out of this already elite group, Hashim was recently awarded an honor for highest academic achievement and was selected to sit with the company CEO at the dinner for their re-entry orientation. Now that Hashim has graduated, he has returned to Saudi Arabia to work for SABIC. We are excited for him for the opportunities he has ahead, but we will definitely miss him. It will seem very odd to go to classes next fall and not have Hashim there.



The night before he left to return to Saudi Arabia we had Hashim over for dinner one last time along with his father, Ahmed; his roommate, Shawn (front right); another good friend and fellow civil engineering student, Rebecca; and Rebecca's boyfriend, Ben (red hair).




Whenever Hashim would come over for dinner he would always bring berries for Anna, Josie and Ruthie. He knew how much they loved them. Indeed they were usually devoured in minutes. This time he also brought gifts from the trip he and his father and brother had just taken to San Francisco. This is a picture of Anna completing the puzzle Hashim gave her. I think she likes it.




This picture was taken by Rebecca in the fall of our junior year (2008). I met Adam (on the right) at the same time that I met Hashim. The two of them were already good friends. The three of us have spent a lot of time working together over the past three years.


Hashim has been a great friend these past three years. Often we knew what the other was thinking without it needing to be said and could often finish each other's sentences. Not only is Hashim an exceptional student, but he has extremely high character. I think we have learned a lot from each other in our time together.
Our whole family will miss you, Hashim. Best wishes as you move on to the next stage in life in Saudi Arabia. We know you will do well. Thank you for being a part of our family while you were here.


3 comments:

Chad Clement said...

What a nice post, Mitch. It nearly brings tears to my eyes because I know how hard it is to find "good" friends that you can trust and count on. I feel like I know Hashim even though I have met him one time. Luckily, we have technology that allows us to remain in contact with friends and family separated by long distances. I'm sure you'll remain connected while separated by an ocean and thousands of miles. My best to Hashim and to you as you move to the next stages of your careers and lives.

Michelle said...

I love this post, Mitch. Thanks for taking time to let us all say goodbye (for now) to Hashim. I'm so grateful to have met him, and even more grateful for the way that he has cared for and loved our beloved Clement tribe. Like Chad said, friends like this are hard to find, and I celebrate the two of you.

Unknown said...

I am very grateful to have Mitch as a friend and the Clements as a family away from home.

My heart my racing while I was reading this post. I read it many times. As sad as it is to leave the Clements, this post really made my week. It really means so much to me to read this post. In general, I am proud to have the bunch of friends I have. But I am proud the most that I met Mitch and his family.

Here's my post about the Clements :)
http://hashimalhamad.blogspot.com/2010/06/people-i-will-miss-most.html