Tribute to a friend:

Thursday morning, August 16, I lost a dear person to me, James Anthony Bechdel.

Although we havev not been close in years, and have not even spoken in a year, I still feel pain and pray for his family's loss.

Jimmy was a great person, he taught other people so many things, and he taught me who I truley am. I thank Jimmy for always being brutally honest. You ay not have liked what he had to say, but it was always the truth.

From walking down the isle at his parents wedding, to getting tattoos together junior year, Jimmer was always there for me. In one way or another.

His memorial service was held Monday August 20, and as I expencted there were many people there. So many in fact thaqt the door to the firehall had to stay open, because there was just not enough room to hold all of his love or loved ones. There was a line out the door, and not one person left until the service was threw. Even the ones who had to stand outside!

A few people shared words for Jimmy, including myself, an aunt, an uncle, and an ex-girlfriend. it ws beautiful. Trying to comfort people is never easy in this situation, but ecspecially when you are greiving yourself. comforting others can seem like a chore when you are alsoo grieving, but I have come to realize with thispassing, that it is easier to talk about what you would want to hear.

Tell people about your great memories, tell children the great tales. Let them remember and love. Show them the stars, let them pick the very brightest one. And tell the that star is whomever you lost. Because, in most cases that is what I choose to believe.

They are the brightest star because they are the newest, the hottest burning, one that hasn't had time to burn out. A star that bright must be close, closer than others to be that bright. So tell those little ones, and even grown people, that star is our Jimmy. He is watching us, and always will be.

He was our shining star while alive, always making a scene and causing some laughter. Let him continue being our star, give yourself and others a place to look when they miss him. When they want to talk to him.

August 16th will never be the same for me or for a lot of other people. It was a day of sadness, a day of loss, but also the day we got a new star in the sky.


We love you James Anthony. Always.