I found out today my good friend, David Kendrick, was a victim of probable homicide.
We last spoke on Saturday. He spoke of new beginnings, I encouraged him in his endeavor and promised dinner with the kids soon. We both signed off with hugs. We have become good friends over the past two years, more than just casual aftercare acquaintances. He was a kind and loving soul. His friendship meant the world to me. I was closer to him than any other teacher at my kid's school. I was his go to for parental and kid volunteering, and I hung the moon to accommodate him over everyone else.
There are so many few good male role models in lower school. David has been a steadfast presence in Jack's life, over the past few years.
I had to tell Jack tonight, before someone else got to him. It was one of the hardest conversations I have had in my lifetime.
R.I.P. David Kendrick. We love and grieve and mourn and miss you. I vow to continue your legacy - championing LGBTQ rights. May your soul live on to continue your good works.
2 comments:
I'm so sorry. It's "good works" area of focus for me too. I'm making an inference with absolutely no factual basis here but certainly the right social climate - stories like David's highlight the importance of continuing the work. I'll be thinking of David, and you.
-Anne
Thank you Anne. The homicide investigation is open so I'm not sure if it was a hate crime or not yet. I've been talking to the other aftercare workers - we are thinking of trying to commemorate him at the school somehow. There are a lot of local charities that support LGBTQ rights and shelters for kids that are driven out of their homes. David hoped to give inspiration to kids that struggled like he did growing up - I supported his endeavors financially while he was alive. Maybe I'll give a chunk of change in his name to one of those charities. I cannot stop talking about him and thinking about him - this is uncharted territory for me.
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