Jesse

About three weeks ago, one of my early kids, Jesse, just popped into my mind.

I hadn't thought of Jesse in a few years, last time I did I looked him up online. He had grown some then, the braces were off and he had a great smile.

He enjoyed drawing, video games, reading and goofing around with the rest of the 1st official group I christened The Fabulous Bumper Boys. There have been more of those over the years, but he was part of the original set.

I last saw him in May of 2008. He was just finishing fifth grade. He'd just had those braces put on, his family was getting ready to move out of state and he was apprehensive about it.

He didn't want to leave the friends he had here, they all got along really well and were a solid bunch. Almost never saw one of them alone, they were usually in a boisterous group, crashing into each other all afternoon. They were loud, often messy at snack time, and full of life. All of them were great kids.

He and all his friends were part of our daily afternoon crew. They made a bit of extra work for us, we redirected them at least four times a day.

We had several one on one discussions over the last few weeks of the school year.

He didn't think people would want to be his friend in the new school.

He was a decent kid. Engaging and inquisitive and eager to learn about all kinds of stuff.

I liked him.

I told him the truth, that moving sucks. When you get to a new school it feels weird. Nothing is familiar, you don't know anyone, you usually end up eating lunch by yourself. You have to learn where the bathrooms are and where your classes are and a whole new routine. It's hard.

"But then, about a month or so into the new school year, you realize that things are starting to make sense. You've found a friend or two or three to hang out with at lunch and after school. You've found an after school club or a sport and you're suddenly comfortable. Jesse, you're going to do fine. Trust me on this."

The last day of school, he brought a little disposable camera.
He approached me and said, "You're one of the things I'm going to miss about this place, can I have a picture with you?"

Of course I said yes.

And Tristan came running over when he saw Sunshine holding the camera. "I wanna be in the picture too!"

Jesse just smiled gently and said, "Sure."

So a photo of me with Tristan and Jesse went to New Mexico when Jesse left.

Last weekend, I was looking up the kids I used to take care of way back then, and because Jesse had a unique last name, he was easy to find. But his FB page, which had been there 6 years or so ago, wasn't there. I did find his name, though. On the page of a person who tagged him in a post and was lamenting how senseless the act of violence that took him away was.

I looked up his obituary. Learned that he had done well in life. After graduating from high school he'd gone to college, switched tracks a year or so ago and was in training to become a chef and had a dream of opening his own restaurant.

He was still artistic and had parents, an older brother and many friends who loved him.

Jesse was murdered on February 15th this year.
He was 26 years old.