The Blessing of Jamie:

Ever since I began teaching Jamie in the general class at the age of three, he lit up the classroom. He was so bright, so charming, had such a light about him, and was a friend to everyone. When he came into my 3-5 year old class, I became amazed at the wisdom he had for his age. He always knew the answers. Just back last Palm Sunday, I was teaching about Jesus riding the donkey into Jerusalem, and I asked why the donkey likes Jesus? Jamie said, "Because Jesus was kind to him and gave him good things to eat." And then Jamie said, "This was the same donkey Mary rode into Bethlehem". When I said only common people rode donkeys, Jamie immediately chimed in and said, "That's because Jesus was the king of God's world, not of this world". The lesson had told me to make this point. I was supposed to make this point with the children but Jamie was ahead of me! When we did the lesson on Jesus blessing the children, Jamie said, "Jesus said 'the kingdom of heaven was for those like the children' because the children like him loved Jesus the best". Jamie had such a sweet, loving nature. He would never fight or call names; if he accidentally hit or pushed someone he was always ready to apologize. All the children in my class got along well with him. At the last birthday party he was so proud he would be turning six and moving up (to the next Sunday school class). He was always so excited about attending class and would march over singing loudly " I am walking in the light", even when I didn't start it. When I started the prize box each month for perfect attendance, he made sure he came every week. And was always so excited to pick his prize. He could barely decide because everything interested him. He radiated vibrant health and life. But in spite of all his deep inner wisdom, he was very much a regular little boy who enjoyed the typical things a 5-year old boy does- it just seemed with much greater intensity. When he got his jacket with the detachable sleeves, all during play time he wanted to throw them high in the air and catch them. When we had balloons for the birthday parties, he played volleyball with them. He was so proud that he could go across the jungle gym with his feet almost touching the ground, and how many cookies he could eat at snack time. He loved to dress up, and when we acted out the nativity play in class he insisted on being the "Black King". Co-Co the bear, the puppet I use in class, was Jamie's special friend. Jamie didn't se him as a puppet, but as a real bear, and would grab him and give him a hug after hug. One Sunday when we were all telling each other things that we loved, and Co-Co said he loved honey and having his back scratched, Jamie said "I'll scratch your back for you Co-Co", and reached over and did it. That was Jamie all over-Love in Action. I called my brother Ray in New York to tell him Jamie had been killed and that I was grieving. Ray had visited my class once, but he immediately said, " I remember Jamie!" He said, "Jamie was so lively and bright and intelligent, he just stood out". I have grieved terribly in losing Jamie, but in one way it has been a blessing to me, so Jamie is still doing good for others. It made me realize how precious all my little ones are to me, and how much I love them, since I never got to have children of my own, how they have blessed me- especially Jamie