Butterflies: For Matthew and Kyle by Megan Tsern (written July 4, 2010)

In this dark cocoon I am latched,

But I know soon I will be hatched,

As soon as I know it, gold light comes through a line,

I feel welcome, as if 2 ribbons in my heart intertwine,

I burst open, gasping for air,

Then spin around I am not yet pretty and fair,

Suddenly, a breeze almost sweeps me away,

I sit down and there I lay,

It is a warm day in May,

But still, I learn how to fly,

I spread my wings, touching the sky,

Then, I dip down, through a meadow,

I look at some other insects, and shout, “Hello.”

Then fly to a big hospital,

I look through a window, there is a hall,

I look through another, there is a boy,

Matthew is his name,

He’s got cancer, that’s lame

Next, I fly over to busy Berkeley,

I see a boy, slipping in a key

His name is Kyle, see,

He has jokes that make me laugh, heehee

This is a special place with harmony,

It’s meant to be for you and me

Author’s Note

I wrote this poem for Matthew and Kyle. Matthew died of cancer on July 26, 2007.

Kyle died of a car accident in 2010. That’s what I wrote about the key. I made this butterfly for them.

                                                God Bless

                                                            --MT 

To Craig from Ana Lopez, in the Dominican Republic

Dear Craig: 

I am Ana Antonia, Persis' friend from the Dominican Republic. I just want to tell you that I often think of Kyle and say a prayer for him, as well. And today, on his birthday, my prayer will be there too; and for you, Persis, Niko and Kyle’s mother.

I do feel to have met him through Persis and, unfortunately, got to know him better recently. I have followed the events and once in a while enter his blog.

I am going to try to translate something Saint Augustine wrote, which was given to friends and family when a cousin died at the age of 40 (single mother, bread winner, father was/is a disaster), leaving 4 children behind, the youngest 4 at the time:

“When I have to leave you for a short period of time, please, do not sadden or shed tears neither embrace your sorrow throughout the years. On the contrary, start again with strength, with a smile on my name and my memory; live your life and do all things the same way you have done before. Do not feed your solitude with empty days; instead, carry out every hour in a useful way. Stretch your hand to offer comfort and, in exchange, I will comfort you and will have you close to me; and, never be afraid of dying because I will be waiting for you in heaven.”

Much love,

Ana Antonia

Made by Beebe Sanders of Kyle

Letter from Beebe Sanders Written April 6, 2010 in Mr. Knight's Art Class, Delivered to Kyle's Family on July 3, 2010

Dear Kyle’s Family,

            I’m not sure if you know me or if Kyle said anything about me, but my name is Beebe Sanders. Kyle and I became very close this school year because we had art class together. I went to King with him, but I didn’t know him very well until this past year. First, I just want to tell you that Kyle had a great heart. During this year, Kyle helped me through some of the hardest things I’ve ever been through. Every day we would talk about our lives and tell each other stories. I looked forward to coming to class so that Kyle and I could work on our art (that Kyle seemed to avoid as much as possible) and laugh together. As you already know, Kyle had strong opinions, so of course we would get into debates all the time. One time we just got so pissed off at each other off of a debate that we left the class steaming mad, but we apologized quickly because we knew we couldn’t let that get in the way of our friendship. Most of our days were happy, though, and filled with jokes and funny stories. We started going to lunch every week, and had a blast in his new car that he was so obsessed with. I am an only child, so he became like a brother to me. He tried to call me his younger sister, but I’m older than him so that didn’t last long. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but you had a truly great son. He was such a loving guy and made me smile every day. I will always remember our walks to 5^th period, and our hugs goodbye when we parted, I just never thought our hug on the Friday before Break would be our last one. It hurt me so deeply that such an amazing friend and caring boy had to die so young. He had great dreams that I wish I could’ve seen him pursue (besides the wanting to go to Israel and join the army, which I tried to talk him out of almost every day.

            I’m sitting in art class right now writing this, wishing that his gorgeous eyes were across from mine, like they were every day. I wish I could hear his complaints about how he didn’t like to draw and about how he wanted me to go with him to Starbucks instead. He really wasn’t a bad drawer and had a lot of potential.

Your son has truly touched me and made an everlasting impression. He will always be my brother and I will always be his sister. You had an amazing son, and I’m so sorry for your loss. But know that he has been an important factor in many people’s lives and that he will always be remembered. He made great memories with people and he will ALWAYS be remembered by everyone. I know he is in a great place now with Prentice. I’m so glad they are together, and I know they both want us to smile and remember the good times they shared with us.

Kyle always wanted me to be happy and not let things get to me too much because he knew times would get better, and they did. Now I have new things to worry about, but I will always keep Kyle’s voice in my mind and his soft eyes telling me to keep my head up because he is up there watching me. I hope all of you are thinking of the good time you had with Kyle and are celebrating the life he had because I know he enjoyed his short but sweet life. I wish you all the best in recovery and I know his is loving you guys as much as always. You raised a great boy and he will be in our hearts forever. I send my love and my prayers to all of Kyle’s family, and I’ll miss him, too.

 Lots of love,

 Beebe