Dear Danyel,

I’m gonna start off by saying, I miss you. You were my best friend, my homie, my Mama D. I think about you every day. Most days when I drive past your place, I feel so empty. That day you didn’t go to work, I found you expecting the worst, and sure enough there you were lying peacefully. At first, I was hoping it was a joke, but I couldn’t wake you up. It was hard to cope with reality at the time, but the thing that kept me going was your son. He is the light at the end of this very long tunnel. Someday I hope to see him grow into the kind and loving man you would have raised him to be.

I will miss everything we did together, whether it was staying at home and building blanket forts or going on off-island adventures. My favorite memory was when we would go to West Beach. Achillies got chocolate ice cream, you got a glass of Pepsi and I got a watermelon and pomegranate snow cone. This summer will be different but hopefully not sad. I know you’re safe and not hurting now. I just wish I could hug you one more time and tell you how much you are loved. Sometimes I get sad and feel the need to cry but nothing comes out. I’m sorry this happened to you. Even though you aren’t physically here with me, I know you are here in spirit, still spreading your love and kindness. Thank you for welcoming me into yours and Achillies’ lives. I love and miss you lots.

Love, Lexi