Dear Hank,

      You were 10 when I first met you. I was supposed to take care of you, Anne and Charlie. My task wasn't terrible as you were an easy child. I don't remember you crying or fighting. In fact, you were kind, generous and even meticulous! I always had to "catch" (!) Anne to have her sit and do her homework... but you, always by yourself, you did yours lessons- The most important thing was to write cleanly. You used to write your exercises again if you weren't satisfied by your handwriting! Yes, you were a perfectionist boy! I also remember how much you liked to eat greedily: that is something we have in common... and thanks to our "seal skin" we were the only ones to dive in the freezing pond at Camp Calumet and be able to wash ourselves and smell good (not like some of us...). That was a lot of fun!

       I loved sharing my life with you, Jeff, Lucy, Anne and Charlie. Isn't life fantastic? Life made us meet... But life took you away. Was it your destiny? My heart is full of bitterness. I am just coming back from church where I prayed and tried to find some peace. Charlotte (6) and Ferdinand (2) (my children) were very proud to burn some candles for you.

       Henry, you left but you are in our hearts. You left surrounded by your beloving family. You left and they stayed. You have to light their way now so they can smile and bright up again one day.

        Avec tout mon amour,
your frenchie!
Clarisse.

TO HENRY

Hey big guy
haven't seen you for weeks (as usual)
I was flying out here and there
So I thought you were in Boston for Thanksgiving with your family
until this afternoon, Jolin and her father walked in and asking where
your room is
Now I know you are in a better place

I moved in on Sep 1, and today is Dec 5, barely 3 months
Even worse, my actually residence in the house may just be 3 weeks total
So for the few times I chatted with you, it was all about fantasy
football, NFL and whatever trivia
For most I saw you and Brian playing video games or eating takeout
pizza/pasta in the messy game-zone of our house

Yes you are a lazy, big boy
But you stand out with your big smile on your lovely but equally big cheek
I can remember how loud you argue with Sandy over the importance of
fraternity in college life (of cuz asian nerds wouldn't get that)
I remember how much you mess up the kitchen sink and how that
eventually broke up you and Sandy (man, I wish you'd clean the sink,
too.  So I can be in a better mood while cooking on weekends).
No there is nowhere you are close to perfect
That's why you are only 25 years old
and there is plenty of years ahead to explore and perfect

But you are taken away too soon, too sudden, too unprepared
leave me in such a shock
and grief

Last time I remembered talking to you
You just started looking for a job in Boston/DC (where you girl may
end up working) for next year
you said about your 5 year relationship with your girl
you told me about how much you felt lucky to be in love with her
when I asked whether you'd be ready pop the question and get a decent-size stone
you smiled like the usual big face cat but you said that's near

Oh well
It's snowing beautifully all day long for the first time of year here
It's all white and quiet outside
and in the house
I just couldn't help
burst into tears (man, last time I cried was when my grandma passed away)
while walking down the stairs seeing the empty game-zone

When I left on that Sat morning before Thanksgiving
I saw your two sisters walking into the door
your parents were parking outside
I thought they were coming to visit you for a pre-Thanksgiving gathering
What a fool I was

Life is mostly beautiful and lively
but sometimes it is just too cruel
and I feel so
that you are taken while there are still so many interesting stories
haven't yet occur

My grief and prayer go to your family
and rest in heaven, Henry.


from Yulin, Dartmouth