I would like to share some words about my beautiful nephew Jesse Burges. Like many couples do, Jesse’s parents separated when he was young.  Jesse and his brother Joel lived primarily with their Dad, my brother Jim.  They lived in a beautiful home filled with love and laughter. 3 guys and their token female - "Ms. Kitty". Jesse was like glue when it came to his Dad. He did everything his Dad did. If Jim was cutting the lawn, he was right there with his plastic edition mowing along side. If Jim was barbequing, Jesse was there to flip the burgers. When there was plumbing to do, Jesse barely needed a hand from a very young age - he was handy that way. As a matter of fact, over the years Jesse became the fixer of everything. It didn't matter what it was, Jesse could figure it out. During those years growing up, I spent many of my summers living with my brother. He had to work and someone had to watch the kids - I offered – I loved doing it - I'm so thankful I have those memories. Now I realize just how special that time was.  During those summer days, I would quite often have over a bunch of my girlfriends to hang by the pool. Jesse and Joel loved it. They would wait on us hand and foot - imagine - here they were young boys and they had a bunch of 25 year old girls who thought they were the cutest little kids ever. The boys lived beside what I would consider one of the best neighbors you could ask for - Ron Dool. Ronnie - like Jim was on his own. During those summers, Ronnie would come over after work. We would all sit around the pool, the kids would play, we'd have drinks and talk and talk and talk. Quite regularly - at least twice a week we'd all have dinner together - the boys would help prepare, we had such fun. Those years I spent with the boys - mean so much to me. Obviously, as the boys grew up things changed. They became more independent which was to be expected, but you could bet your bottom dollar, they never missed any family functions - family meant everything to Jess. Family means everything to each and every member of our family. We all cherish our time together - never missing an opportunity to spend time with one another. Our special times up at Whistler - we'd all be up on the mountain - skiing together, hanging in the hot tub together - playing football in the snow, ice skating on the outdoor rink, cross country skiing, drinking at Dusty's - EVERYTHING together. Christmas Eves, Christmas Dinners, Thanksgiving and of course any other time (which there were many) we all would get together. If I can stress one thing, it would be Jesse's love for the kids. Oh my god, you wouldn't believe how good he was with all the kids, all his little cousins and my children - who called him Uncle Jess even though he was their cousin. He loved them - and they loved him. As a matter of fact, Jesse spent the majority of his time at family dinners playing with the kids - that was who he was. Here's a boy who would have my kids over for sleepovers, he'd take them out shopping, he texted with them regularly. He was just so giving - so wonderful. Don't get me wrong - he wasn't a saint. None of us are, but he was a super guy. Of course Jesse had his beautiful little girl Mya - she's a spitting image of her father. He loved her so - he was the best Dad. So very sad that our little Mya has lost her Daddy. So very sad that we have all lost our Jesse. I will forever remember his laugh - it was the best laugh - it was so unique just like Jesse.

My heart is broken . . . it’s hard to breathe . . . I love you Jess.  I miss you like crazy.