Ian James Wallace lived life and loved life. He touched and positively affected more lives than he could have ever imagined. For seventeen years we had an angel walking with us. This humble, unassuming, Renaissance man was in this world but not of this world. He was on loan from the universe for a brief period of time. Ian James Wallace was given to us with a message that we all fervently need to listen to and follow.

​

Ian was a genuine soul full of love, compassion, sensitivity and respect for everyone. A servant leader with courage, character, conviction and integrity, Ian inspired each of us to find a way to contribute, make a difference, and be of service to our fragile planet. Thus, during Ian's earthly sojourn, he managed to do something extraordinary with his life: to find the spiritual light of love within, shine it on a world in need of mercy, grace and compassion, and motivate others to carry on his journey. That was his gift to us all.

 

This is how Ian lived, and this is the contribution, the message, this humble messenger left to us. We would not only honor Ian, but honor the best in all of us, if we take away from his life the love he felt and gave, and make it a part of our lives not only now but for always. In that way, Ian didn't really leave us. He is a part of each of us forever as we live out his dreams for himself and others.

 

The best way to honor Ian would be to say to other's the word of greeting and farewell in India:

Namasté: I see the light within you and I honor it.

​

This year's winner of the Ian James Wallace Memorial Scholarship is Matine Khalighi.