They say that time heals all wounds. That after a while – one is able to get over anything and move on. Considering that today is the four year anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001 – I am here to tell you that some wounds will never, ever heal.

As I sit here at my desk in the office that used to belong to my friend Douglas Farnum, who lost his life four years ago today, I can’t help but think of him and what myself and everyone else who loved him lost on that terrible day. Doug was one of those guys that everyone wanted to befriend – and could make the most upset person break out in laughter. When you were around Doug, life was good – and any problems or issues you had were left at the door in the umbrella stand. Having the honor of being his friend, I can tell you firsthand that being a friend of Douglas Farnum was truly a gift – one that you wanted to last forever…

…but it didn’t last forever – because he was taken from us – and he is never coming back.

Even four years later, I miss Doug as much now as I did the day we knew he was gone. Of all of his loved ones – I was the last one to see him alive. I dropped him off to work at the World Trade Center that day and we had a standing appointment for lunch. I can remember, clear as day, setting up a time to meet later that afternoon and watching him walk toward his office – and his unfortunate fate. I keep thinking that I wish I could go back in time and warn him at that exact moment not to go into that building – and into history. I would give anything to be able to pull him back from the arms of death and return him to the wonderful life he lived, which included a beautiful and loving wife, success, and good friends and family.

But instead – all I can do is sit here and type this column about a friend that is gone for good.

I watched the ceremony this morning, and when I heard his name, I instantly broke down as if only four minutes had passed since his death rather than four years. Although some say that it has been long enough since he died for me to overcome his loss – I never will. No amount of time that passes could heal the very large wound in my heart and fill the empty gap in my life that he left behind. If this was the fortieth anniversary of the tragedy – the same amount of tears would roll down my cheeks that fell today. Losing Doug – and losing him the way we did – was one of the worst things that have ever happened in my life – and nothing will ever change that. I miss him more than words can describe – and that is something you just don’t get over…

…no matter how many years pass by.