James L Beckstrand

Wow. I dont know what to say. I was searching for Jimmy on Facebook... I didnt expect to find this. He was one of my best (and most secret) friends when I was 11'ish. He was the "hot, older boy, from across the field." He being 3 years older than me was a little embarassed to be hanging out with such a youngster, and me? Well, I pretended boys were still "yucky." Despite the pressures of adolescents, hewas always a kind, compassionate, gentleman. We spent hours playing in the creek where he taught me to catch crawdads, and days trying to teach my dog to attack on command like our favorite Escondido Police dog, "Bak." And when I turned 12 he gave me my first kiss. I can see in the picture, those same warm eyes that made my gangly akward knees shake. How we lost touch....who knows. I didnt expect it to be so permanent. Im sorry to know one of my first friends has left this world. Perhaps one day when we meet up again, we can go down to the creek, catch some crawdads and just be kids again. A time when bombs didnt exsist. Michelle Cochran Escondido, CA

May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family forever.