Breathe into me

Tempering the sadness of missing Jimmy these last two years has been the outpouring of love, hugs, thoughts, prayers, and wishes – from his last music recorded and performed so emotionally by his brothers on “Nightmare” – from the kind sentiments expressed by his peers and those he looked up to in magazines and notes – from hugs and stories friends and relatives have shared – to the remembrances posted on-line and tokens left or given to us in person by you, his A7X family. The family you choose is as important as the family you are born into, and Jimmy chose his extended A7X family well. Because the cemetery clears the grounds every week, I have tried to collect all the items left there, some from as far away as Sweden, Italy and Australia. You have left so many heartfelt notes, drawings, pictures, poems and tokens – from the affectionate “stallion” ducks and rubber “ninja” knives for the knife master, to drumsticks, concert programs, hand-made items and too many to list. No tokens have warmed my heart more though, than recently finding three 2-year-sober coins, as well as more than a dozen more ranging from 1-day to 1-year, proudly left for Jimmy to see. On this his birthday, I wanted to acknowledge and thank you all for this comfort. Happy Birthday Jimmy – best remember him by jumping into life with all you have in you and living with hope, enthusiasm, love, and a bit of uninhibited silliness.